Deerfield minister pleads not guilty to sex abuse of girl, 16

DEERFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- A former minister accused of sexually assaulting a teenager confessed, Deerfield police said.

Sam Kee pleaded not guilty to four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse on Wednesday.

Law enforcement says Kee, 39, walked into the Deerfield Police Department on October 14, 2015, and confessed to touching the teen inappropriately during the summer of 2014. He was a minister at North Suburban Church, where the 16-year-old girl was a member, for five years.

Kee resigned after confessing. The church released a statement: We cannot provide any further comment on the charges that have been brought against him at this time. Church officials are fully cooperating with the Deerfield police on their investigation.

Kee is out on a $300,000 bond. If convicted of the charges, he faces between 12 and 28 years in prison and must register as a sexual predator the rest of his life.