EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. — A 37-year-old volunteer youth pastor has been charged in Clay County with multiple felonies after investigators say he engaged in an unlawful sexual relationship with a teenage member of his church’s youth group.
The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday that Donald Aaron Axtell, of Excelsior Springs, is charged with statutory rape in the second degree, possession of child pornography, and furnishing pornographic material to a minor.
A judge issued a warrant for Axtell’s arrest and set bond at $100,000. He was being held at the Excelsior Springs Police Station and was booked into the Clay County Jail on Friday afternoon.
“This alleged offense not only constitutes a serious violation of the law, but a grievous betrayal of the trust placed with an associate youth pastor to shepherd our community’s children,” Prosecutor Zach Thompson said in a written statement.
Disclosure from the victim led to the investigation
According to a probable cause affidavit, the investigation began on November 12 when the teenage victim and a guardian came to the Excelsior Springs Police Department to report ongoing sexual abuse. The victim told officers the conduct began in 2023, when she was under the age of 17, and continued into 2024 and 2025.
She also reported that explicit images had been exchanged between herself and Axtell. Detectives say she provided screenshots showing communications and photos that investigators identified as evidence of child pornography and illegal conduct.
Alleged incidents occurred at church and during youth trips
According to the Excelsior Springs Police Department, Axtell served as a youth pastor at Excelsior Springs Baptist Church during the time the alleged conduct occurred.
The victim alleged that some of the sexual activity occurred inside church classrooms during times when youth programs or church services were taking place. She also reported incidents during youth group trips to the Lake of the Ozarks.
Investigators interviewed church witnesses and later located and arrested Axtell on November 13. After initially denying any relationship, detectives say Axtell eventually admitted during a recorded interview that he and the teen had a sexual relationship and exchanged explicit photos.
Formal charges filed
The charging documents outline three counts:
Statutory rape in the second degree (Class D felony): alleging sexual intercourse with a victim under 17 between December 1–31, 2023.
Possession of child pornography (Class D felony): alleging possession of an explicit image of a minor on June 22, 2025.
Furnishing pornographic material to a minor (Class A misdemeanor): alleging Axtell sent an explicit photo to the victim on June 21, 2025.
If convicted, the felony charges each carry a maximum sentence of up to seven years in prison, while the misdemeanor charge carries up to one year in jail.
Investigation ongoing
Prosecutors say the case remains an active investigation and urged anyone with information to contact the Excelsior Springs Police Department at (816) 630-2000.
Axtell is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty in a court of law.
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