A Georgia youth pastor has been arrested and charged with six counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Daniel Menelaou had been serving as a youth pastor for the Alpharetta campus of Futures Church. He has since been terminated.
Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of child sex abuse that some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
Menelaou’s arrest came following an investigation by Roswell Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit.
The investigation began in February after authorities received an online tip. On March 11, Menelaou was taken into custody after authorities executed a search warrant on Menelaou’s residence, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
Investigators seized multiple devices from Menelaou’s home. Melelaou, 28, now faces six felony charges related to possession of CSAM.
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“It’s egregious behavior regardless of who is engaged in it, in particular somebody that has connections to young people and it raises the threat level to another degree,” said Roswell Police Officer Tim Lupo.
Futures Church, formerly Influencers Church, is a global multisite megachurch affiliated with the Assemblies of God denomination. The church has locations in Australia and the United States.
Leaders of Futures Church Alpharetta expressed shock following Menelaou’s arrest.
“The charges against Daniel Menelaou are abhorrent, appalling, and completely contrary to everything we stand for,” the church said in a statement emailed to ChurchLeaders. “We are horrified by what has been revealed and categorically condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms.”
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The church said that prior to Menelaou’s arrest, leadership “had no prior knowledge of any allegations or indication of wrongdoing. The details outlined in the arrest warrant are deeply disturbing and stand in total opposition to our unwavering commitment to protecting children.”
. Daniel Menelaou had been serving as a youth pastor for the Alpharetta campus of Futures Church. He has since been terminated. ){kind=link}