Former volunteer youth pastor, PTA president charged with child molestation

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WTVC) — A former youth pastor at the Abba's House church in Chattanooga, Tennessee who was also a former PTA president at an elementary school in Hamilton County is facing child molestation charges and aggravated sexual battery charges, according to court documents.

Online records show Hamilton County deputies arrested 34-year-old Dustin Spillers.

Spillers was extradited to Troup County, Georgia, where he faces the charges.

Abba's House Lead Pastor Dr. Ronnie Phillips, Jr. confirmed Spillers was once associated with the church as a volunteer youth pastor and left the church in 2015.

"Dustin Spillers moved to Chattanooga from Louisiana in 2008 following a former youth pastor, Chris Brooks," Phillips told WTVC in an email. "He was never on staff nor received any financial compensation from Abba’s House. He left the church in 2015. There were no inappropriate actions by Dustin Spillers known by Abba’s House while he attended here. We are praying for the Spillers family, any alleged victims, and all other churches, individuals, and families that may be affected by the alleged actions."

Several posts on the Abba's House Students Facebook page from 2012 share events that list Spillers' involvement.

Spillers was also the president of the PTA at Wolftever Creek Elementary School.

In a Facebook post on January 2, Principal Gail Huffstutler told parents that Spillers "stepped down from his role on the PTA."

Hamilton County Schools said Spillers resigned as PTA president during the holiday break.

Sydney Moore, a friend of the Spillers family, told WTVC she met Spillers during his time at Abba's House and knew him for several years.

This has been a complete shock to us," Moore said. "He has been living a double life his entire life."

The Troup County Sheriff's Office told WTVC the case "is still an ongoing investigation and active. All case notes cannot be released at this time."