Sexual assault charge dismissed against pastor of Arlington’s Koinonia Christian Church
A sexual assault charge against an Arlington pastor has been dismissed after a Tarrant County grand jury declined to indict him this week.
The grand jury returned a “no bill” on Wednesday, March 19, on the felony charge that was filed in July 2024 against Ronnie Goines, according to court records. Goines, 52, still faces a charge of indecent assault, which is a Class A misdemeanor, the records show.
The complaint in the indecent assault case accuses the pastor of touching a woman in a sexual manner without her consent.
The woman who accused Goines also is suing him and his church, Koinonia Christian Church, in a civil case.
Representatives of Goines and the church have denied the allegations and said they believe they were “made in pursuit of financial compensation rather than justice.”
“These claims are completely unfounded, untrue, and have no basis in reality,” representatives of the church and the pastor said in a statement. “Rev. Goines and Koinonia Church have always operated with the utmost respect, integrity, and commitment to the community. Any interactions referenced in these allegations have been taken entirely out of context and misrepresented. We fully support Rev. Goines and continue to stand by his character, leadership, and dedication to serving others.”
The accuser is seeking over $1 million in damages from Koinonia Christian Church and Goines, according to her lawsuit filed Feb. 28 in Tarrant County.
In the suit, the woman details how Goines allegedly groomed her after she began attending the church in August 2022.
After she asked a question at the church’s Bible study, Goines invited the woman to see him privately, the lawsuit states. During that meeting, Goines told the woman that she “needed to learn how to trust again” and that it was “essential for her to be part of a community and receive counseling,” the suit states.
The woman said that beginning in January 2023, Goines repeatedly called and texted her. She alleges that in March 2023 Goines sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions at his home by trying to kiss her, touch her and take off her clothes after she repeatedly said no, according to the lawsuit.
In an interview with police, Goines denied forcing himself on the woman and said that they hugged, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.
Goines returned to the church in October to continue preaching as its lead pastor.
