Md. Youth Pastor Charged With Child Porn After Police Allegedly Seize Images of Raped Babies Found on Computer
A youth pastor was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography after police found thousands of images of female babies, toddlers, prepubescent girls and other children being raped on his home computer in Cockeysville, Md.
The investigation by Baltimore County Police found that Robert David Wright, 35, who led a youth group at Clynmalira United Methodist Church in Phoenix, Md., also allegedly shared the images with others online.
According to the Baltimore Sun, Pastor John Dailey of Clynmalira released a statement on Monday in which he confirmed that Wright is a member of his church and was a volunteer leader of the congregation's youth group, while adding that church officials are taking the allegations against him "very seriously."
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"Providing a safe environment for the children and youth of the church is of vital importance to us," said Dailey.
Although Wright faces hefty charges if convicted, there is currently no evidence that he sexually abused the children in the images himself or that they are members of the church.
Dailey also said that Clynmalira implements the widely enforced United Methodist Churches' "Safe Sanctuary" policy meant to protect children within their ministries from abuse as well as protect vulnerable staff members.
"We are diligent in [the policy's] implementation and because of this, [we] feel confident that Robert Wright was never alone with any of the youth," said Dailey.
The church also enforces a "two-adult rule" in which a minor has to be accompanied by two adults in each classroom. In a situation where only one adult is able to be present, the policy requires that doors remain open.
Furthermore, part of the policy includes prohibiting staff from serving at any United Methodist Church in any capacity if they are convicted or have a history of sexual misconduct involving a minor or another adult.
Wright is currently being held on $150,000 bail and authorities will forward all images to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children while they attempt to identify all children involved.
