Former Ramp employee admits to sexual contact with minors

HAMILTON - The Ramp released an official statement on Wednesday, March 18, announcing Ramp staff member Samuel Bentley admitted to “inappropriate sexual contact” with a minor.
The statement said someone came forward the week prior with allegations that the incident took place four years ago when they were a minor.
According to the Ramp’s statement, “Upon receiving this report, leadership immediately addressed the matter with Samuel. During that conversation, he admitted the allegation was true.
“Samuel was immediately terminated from his position,” the statement continued. “The Ramp’s board of directors was notified, and the matter was promptly reported to the appropriate authorities.”
The statement then added Bentley admitted to another instance involving a minor a few days later, which the Ramp says they also reported to the proper authorities and that, “We are readily cooperating with law enforcement as their investigation proceeds.”
The Ramp also said the incidents did not take place on church property or in connection with Ramp University.
The Hamilton Police Department also released a statement later on Wednesday, saying while they were aware of the situation, they were not the agency investigating the allegations.
“The Hamilton Police Department is aware of the statement released by the Ramp regarding allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a former staff member,” the statement read. “The investigation is being handled by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency State Bureau of Investigation (ALEA SBI). At this time, the Hamilton Police Department is not involved in this matter.
“Any reports or concerns related to this matter should be directed to ALEA SBI, which is the lead investigating agency.”
According to Hamilton Police Chief Jordan Carter, no official reports have been filed with the Hamilton Police Department involving the matter.
“I’m unsure if this is because of jurisdictional boundaries of the locations of the alleged crimes or because of other complexities surrounding the case,” Carter added. “My heart and prayers are with the victims.”
The Ramp announced in their statement all events that week were cancelled, and instead they would be “holding spaces for mourning, prayer and reflection.”
“As Samuel is someone we platformed to speak and lead, our community is devastated by these revelations,” the statement said.  
Bentley held important positions within The Ramp and is also Ramp founder and director Karen Wheaton Towe’s son-in-law.
In the statement from Wheaton and Ramp leadership, they said they want to support the victims.
“Our deepest concern is for the victims and their families,” the statement read. “As a ministry, we are committed to supporting their ongoing healing in any way possible, and we are working with them to pursue this.
“To the victims, we want to say clearly: we believe you, we grieve with you and we stand with you.”
The statement said the victims, at this time, wish to remain anonymous, and asked the community to “respect their privacy and honor their request to not be publicly identified.”
“We are committed to holding our team members to the highest standards and are unwavering in our commitment to protect minors and ensure a safe environment for those entrusted to our care,” the statement read. “The safety and wellbeing of those in our community, especially minors, remains our chief priority. We do not tolerate abuse of any kind and are committed to transparency, accountability and care for those affected.”
The allegations and statement fueled more controversy about the Ramp on social media, which has already been circulating for years, in which people have made other claims of mistreatment or questioned the Ramp’s acquisition of property in the City of Hamilton with plans for renovations that have yet to take place.
The Ramp Church has locations in Hamilton, Chattanooga, Tenn., and in Manchester, United Kingdom. The Ramp University is located in Hamilton.
The Journal-Record will continue to report on this story as it develops.
*When a defendant is charged with a crime, the charge is merely an accusation until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.