| Charges dropped against Keels By Melissa Lauber UMConnection Staff All charges against the Rev. Bernard Keels, a former superintendent of the Baltimore West district, have been dropped, a spokesperson from the Peninsula-Delaware Conference announced Dec. 18. In response to the charges being dismissed, Bishop Peter Weaver, of the Philadelphia Area and Keels bishop, said in a written response, Im glad that Rev. Keels was exonerated as we expected from the beginning. We are grateful for Gods grace and the faith and gifts of Rev. Keels that have sustained him through this difficult time. I also appreciate the many gifted Laity of the Newark congregation who have been supportive through the process. Keels, pastor of Newark UMC in Newark, Del., was arrested Sept. 8 following an auto accident in Harford County. It was reported by the Associated Press that he was arrested for driving with a suspended license and possession of cocaine. According to a Nov. 19 statement by Bishop Peter Weaver, it was documented through the State of Maryland that Keels license was not, and had never been, suspended. The statement also reported, On Sept. 8 in the process of ministering to a person that the church has been seeking to help, he (Keels) discovered that she was in possession of cocaine, which he took from her. He had not yet disposed of it at the time of the accident later that day. | 
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