WELLINGTON — After reportedly pointing a gun at a church youth group at a First Baptist Church campout, a local man is facing abduction and other charges.
Justin Fronek, 32, allegedly pointed a rifle with a laser scope at 16 boys who were sitting by a fire on church-owned property off East Herrick and Grand avenues about 10:40 p.m. May 27. He was charged with 16 counts of abduction, inducing panic, criminal trespass, aggravated menacing and using weapons while intoxicated, according to Oberlin Municipal Court records.
Wellington police Detective Robert Aviles, who didn’t release a detailed police report, said Fronek’s property is near the church property, but the campers were a distance away from Fronek’s home when the incident occurred.
The youths were having a small campout supervised by youth pastor Jeremy Peck. Aviles declined to say why Fronek approached the campers or what he said to them.
“I’m sure the kids were making noise, but they weren’t being obnoxious or loud,” Aviles said.
Fronek allegedly pointed the rifle at each of the campers with the laser landing on them, Aviles said, and he wouldn’t allow anyone to leave. Aviles said Fronek had to be asked several times to drop the gun, but afterward he fully complied with police, was arrested and taken to the Lorain County Jail.
“It doesn’t get much more serious than this,” Aviles said.
Fronek’s attorney, Ken Nelson, said although all firearms incidents are serious, this particular incident was a misunderstanding and his client didn’t actually hold the campers at gunpoint.
Fronek is a single father with full custody of three children, Nelson said, and he was having a bonfire in his backyard when he heard commotion in the woods. Fronek put his children in the house, Nelson said, and he went into the woods with his weapon to investigate.
“He found out it was just a bunch of kids, he cooperated fully with police and he surrendered his weapon,” Nelson said.
Nelson also said Fronek wasn’t intoxicated, although he did admit to police that he had a beer while he was starting the bonfire for his children.
“He’s a responsible guy and this is just a big misunderstanding,” Nelson said.
Senior Pastor Tom Alexander said Fronek’s daughter has been involved with the church’s children’s program and she has attended youth group meetings at the church. Alexander said he’s praying for Fronek and his family as the case makes its way through court.
“We feel for the young people because this was a frightening experience for them and their families,” Alexander said. “But we also feel bad for (Fronek) as well because these are some very serious charges.”
Alexander said First Baptist Church purchased 20 acres adjacent to the church several years ago off Herrick Avenue, which is where campouts are held. He said that piece of property doesn’t touch Fronek’s property, and Fronek probably had to walk through someone else’s property to reach the youth campers.
Fronek waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Oberlin Municipal Court on Thursday, posted bond and his case was bound over to the county grand jury.
Fronek was ordered not to have any contact with the church. He surrendered all his weapons to police and agreed to GPS monitoring. Nelson said Fronek is fully cooperating with the court’s orders.
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