A youth pastor from Alpharetta, Georgia, has been arrested on multiple charges related to child pornography. Daniel Menelaou, 28, was taken into custody after an investigation revealed he was sharing and downloading explicit videos involving minors through a messaging app. The case has raised serious concerns within the community and prompted a swift response from his church.
Key Takeaways
- Daniel Menelaou, a youth pastor at Futures Church, was arrested for possessing and sharing child pornography.
- He faces six felony charges related to the possession of materials depicting minors in sexually explicit conduct.
- The investigation began after a cyber tip-off from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
- Futures Church has condemned Menelaou’s actions and has terminated his employment.
Details of the Arrest
The Roswell Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit initiated an investigation after receiving a tip that Menelaou was using the Kik messaging app to share explicit videos of children. Following the tip, police executed a search warrant at his residence, where they seized several electronic devices for further analysis.
During questioning, Menelaou reportedly confessed to his actions, admitting to having a pornography addiction. He was charged with six felony counts of possessing or controlling materials depicting minors in sexually explicit conduct, with a bond set at $20,000 for each charge.
Community Reaction
The arrest has sent shockwaves through the local community, particularly among parents and church members. Many expressed disbelief that someone in a position of trust and authority over young people could engage in such behavior. One neighbor remarked, "I’m shocked. The fact that he’s a youth pastor and that he’s with children all the time is very scary."
Church’s Response
Futures Church released a statement expressing their horror at the allegations against Menelaou. They emphasized that his actions are completely contrary to the church’s values and commitment to protecting children. The church stated:
"The charges against Daniel Menelaou are abhorrent, appalling, and completely contrary to everything we stand for. We are horrified by what has been revealed and categorically condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms."
The church has a zero-tolerance policy regarding any form of abuse and placed Menelaou on administrative leave immediately upon learning of his arrest. Following the revelation of the full extent of the charges, his employment was terminated.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing their investigation into Menelaou’s activities, and there is potential for additional charges as they analyze the seized electronic devices. Police have stated that they will closely examine any connections he may have had with minors through his role as a youth pastor.
Roswell Police Officer Tim Lupo commented on the seriousness of the situation, noting, "As you can imagine, when we have somebody who is engaging in this type of behavior, who also occupies a position of authority or influence with young people, that’s something that we’re going to look into very closely."
This case highlights the critical importance of vigilance in protecting children from exploitation and the need for communities to remain aware of potential threats, even from trusted figures.
Sources
- Roswell police charge youth pastor with possession of child sexual abuse materials – WSB-TV Channel 2 – Atlanta, WSB-TV.
- 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.
- Youth pastor charged with possessing and sharing child sex abuse material, FOX 5 Atlanta.
