Charges Against Rev. Ronnie Goines Dropped
The Rev. Ronnie Goines, an Arlington pastor who was arrested last year and faced charges of sexual assault and indecent assault, has had all charges against him dropped.
According to Tarrant County court records, the misdemeanor indecent assault charge was dismissed last week at the discretion of the prosecutor. The felony sexual assault charge was dropped last month after a grand jury no-billed him on the charge.
Background of the Case
Michael Heiskell, Goines’ attorney, had told The Dallas Morning News last month he planned to petition for dismissal of the indecent assault charge.
“We feel it is in the interest of justice given that the higher charge has been dismissed,” Heiskell said last week. “All of this arose out of the same alleged actions of Pastor Goines. There is no credibility associated with these allegations against him by the alleged victim.”
Reaction to the Dismissal
Heiskell told The News on Thursday that dismissal of the charge was “fully expected.”
“This proves that all of the allegations had absolutely no merit, and we’re happy that the Tarrant County DA’s office made the right decision in dismissing this additional charge,” Heiskell said.
Civil Lawsuit Still Pending
Goines still faces a civil lawsuit, filed Feb. 28 in Tarrant County, by the woman who accused him of sexual assault. Boz Tchividjian, her attorney, said in a statement late Thursday that he believes the truth will prevail through the civil suit.
“While we are disappointed by law enforcement’s decision to dismiss the remaining criminal charges against Mr. Goines, our commitment to justice remains unwavering,” Tchividjian said. “We will continue to pursue accountability and expose the full extent of the harm and trauma inflicted on our client through the civil court system—where the burden of proof requires only a preponderance of the evidence.”
Church Support and Allegations
Goines, 52, had turned himself in to the Tarrant County jail in July after police obtained two warrants for his arrest. Goines is the founding pastor of Koinonia Christian Church in Arlington and briefly stepped aside as lead pastor after his arrest.
In October, Goines announced he was returning to the church. Koinonia said in a statement to The News last month that the church supported him and believed the accusations against him were financially motivated.
Details of the Allegations
The civil lawsuit states the woman became a member of Koinonia in October 2022. It alleges Goines repeatedly made advances toward her, which she refused, and sexually assaulted her at his home on March 2, 2023.
Tchividjian, her attorney, told The News last month he and his client appreciate the work of law enforcement and the Tarrant County district attorney in pursuing justice in the case.
Next Steps
In regards to the civil suit, a representative for Goines said in a previous statement that Goines and his legal team “remain confident that the facts will once again prove his innocence in this matter.”
Conclusion
The dismissal of charges against Rev. Ronnie Goines brings an end to the criminal aspect of the case, but the civil lawsuit still looms. The outcome of the civil suit will depend on the evidence presented and the court’s decision. The case highlights the importance of due process and the need for thorough investigations in such sensitive matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What were the charges against Rev. Ronnie Goines?
A: Rev. Ronnie Goines faced charges of sexual assault and indecent assault.
Q: What happened to the charges?
A: The misdemeanor indecent assault charge was dismissed, and the felony sexual assault charge was dropped after a grand jury no-billed him on the charge.
Q: Is Rev. Goines still facing any legal action?
A: Yes, Rev. Goines still faces a civil lawsuit filed by the woman who accused him of sexual assault.
Q: What is the next step in the civil lawsuit?
A: The civil lawsuit will proceed through the civil court system, where the burden of proof requires only a preponderance of the evidence.
