Arlington pastor faces second civil suit

A second woman has filed a civil suit in Dallas County against Koinonia Christian Church and its lead pastor, Ronnie Goines. The complaint alleges Goines groomed the plaintiff and sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions in 2025. This action follows a previous lawsuit by another woman that concluded with a settlement earlier this year.

The latest filing details the timeline of the alleged misconduct. The woman and Goines met at a Dallas restaurant in June 2025. Her attorneys wrote that she explicitly told him she sought only a platonic relationship, a condition Goines accepted. They continued to communicate afterward, with Goines sharing business and professional contacts with her. The suit claims he later told her that God was guiding her to him.

The suit alleges the first incident occurred at Goines' Mansfield home in August 2025. A second incident allegedly took place in September 2025 at the woman's home. The complaint names the church as a defendant, accusing it of negligent hiring, supervision, and retention. Attorneys argue the church breached its duty of care because it was aware of Goines' prior conduct from a 2023 suit.

That earlier legal battle began when a different woman sued Goines after claiming he assaulted her twice in 2023. Criminal charges related to those 2023 incidents were eventually dropped. The plaintiff in that first civil case agreed to settle without a trial earlier in 2025. The current lawsuit argues the church failed to protect members and visitors knowing this history existed.

Goines addressed the new suit in a video posted to the church's Facebook page on Friday morning. He admitted to having had a past sexual relationship but stated that was the extent of any improper behavior. "I have never in my life done what this woman is accusing me of," he said in the video. He also noted that his initial silence after the first suit left people vulnerable to rumors.

The suit includes a specific claim that Goines abused his role as a spiritual guide. It states he told the plaintiff that their interactions were part of a divine plan. The church faces financial exposure for negligent retention based on its knowledge of the prior settlement. No trial date has been set for the new case.

Attorneys representing the new plaintiff were not immediately available for comment on Friday morning. The case is pending in Dallas County court. The church and Goines are currently defending against the allegations of grooming and assault while managing the aftermath of the previous settled claim.