The Rev. Michael William Mohr, a longtime pastor in The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS), was arrested last week and charged with one count of producing child pornography. Mohr, 54, had been serving as president of the synod’s Central Illinois District, which includes 148 congregations in 50 counties. Mohr also was on the board of regents at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of child sex abuse, which some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
In a press release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri indicated that authorities found hidden cameras in Mohr’s residences, plus videos of three juveniles. Additionally, a boy told local police he awoke in a hotel room to find Mohr masturbating by him.
Mohr was arrested on Jan. 28; the next day he appeared in U.S. District Court in St. Louis. The pastor waived his right to a detention hearing and will remain in jail until his trial. Citing safety concerns, authorities did not indicate where Mohr is being held.
Mohr’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 11. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison.
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Federal officials said while searching Michael Mohr’s house in Springfield, Illinois, authorities found “storage devices that contained videos of three juveniles in the bathroom.” During another search at the pastor’s second residence in Vandalia, police found one hidden camera disguised as a wall clock and another disguised as a Bluetooth speaker.
Investigators obtained search warrants after a minor told Vandalia police he found a “camera disguised as an electronic device charger in a hotel bathroom.” According to the federal press release, “The discovery happened the morning after the juvenile awoke to discover Mohr standing above him and masturbating, believing the victim was asleep…The juvenile was in shock and acted like he was still asleep.”
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the St. Louis office of the FBI.
According to a Central Illinois District newsletter, Mohr has served LCMS congregations since at least 1998. Last September, the pastor was elected to a second three-year term as district president, one of 35 in the synod, or denomination. When asked what he could contribute if re-elected, Mohr began by stating, “Praise be to God for the relative calm and unity He has bestowed upon our district!”
The Rev. Michael William Mohr, a longtime pastor in The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS), was arrested last week and charged with one count of producing child pornography.Click to Post
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