A youth pastor from Alpharetta, Georgia, has been arrested on multiple charges related to child pornography. Daniel Menelaou, 28, was taken into custody following a cybertip that led authorities to investigate his activities involving the distribution of explicit videos featuring minors. The church he worked for, Futures Church, has since terminated his employment and expressed horror at the allegations.
Key Takeaways
- Daniel Menelaou, a youth pastor at Futures Church, was arrested for possession of child pornography.
- The investigation began after a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
- Menelaou faces six counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
- Futures Church has condemned his actions and has a zero-tolerance policy regarding abuse.
Details of the Arrest
The investigation into Menelaou began in late February when the Roswell Police Department received a cybertip regarding the possible distribution of child pornography. This led to a search warrant being executed at his residence on March 11, where several electronic devices were seized.
During the investigation, authorities discovered that Menelaou had been sharing explicit videos of children through the Kik messaging app. He reportedly admitted to receiving and sending child pornography, citing a pornography addiction.
Church’s Response
Futures Church, where Menelaou served as a youth pastor, released a statement expressing their shock and horror at the allegations. They emphasized their commitment to child protection and stated:
- "The charges against Daniel Menelaou are abhorrent, appalling, and completely contrary to everything we stand for."
- The church placed him on immediate administrative leave upon learning of his arrest and has since terminated his position.
- They reiterated their zero-tolerance policy regarding any form of abuse and pledged full cooperation with law enforcement.
Community Reaction
The news of Menelaou’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the local community. Neighbors and church members expressed disbelief, particularly given his role as a youth pastor, which involves regular interaction with children. One neighbor remarked, "It’s very scary to think someone like that was around kids."
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation remains active, with authorities indicating that additional charges may be forthcoming. Menelaou has been issued a $20,000 surety bond for each of the six counts against him. Law enforcement is urging anyone with further information related to the case to come forward.
As the community grapples with the implications of this case, Futures Church has committed to supporting victims of abuse and ensuring the safety of their congregation. The church has stated that they will continue to review their policies and safeguards to uphold the highest standards of child protection.
Sources
- Ga. youth pastor arrested for sharing explicit videos, LiveNOW from FOX.
- Youth pastor arrested for child pornography | Roswell Police, 11Alive.com.
- youth pastor international futures megachurch child porn possession accusations, The Independent.
- Youth pastor at Alpharetta church arrested on child porn charges, Atlanta News First.
- Roswell man and youth pastor arrested for possession of child porn, FOX 5 Atlanta.
