Pastor Defends Innocence of Man Allegedly Found in Possession of 9,900 Child Sex Abuse Images, Calls Him ‘A Man of Integrity’

Cameron Cotrill, a 67-year-old computer software developer and active church volunteer, is being held without bond after he was allegedly found in possession of 9,900 child sex abuse images across three computer hard drives. 

While Cotrill vehemently maintains his innocence, he has been denied bond by U.S. District Judge Robert Myers, who said that the evidence against Cotrill is substantial and his wealth and connections to family members outside the U.S. make him a flight risk, according to SunHerald. 

Myers also said that in addition to the large number of abusive images found in his possession, Cotrill allegedly used his extensive computer knowledge to restrict his wife’s access to and knowledge of the files. 

Cotrill claims he is the victim of malware. 

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Cotrill’s family and other community members have rallied around Cotrill. Included among them is Peter Meakins, pastor of senior adults at Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where Cotrill had served as a volunteer in the media ministry. 

In a letter to Myers obtained by The Messenger, Meakins characterized Cotrill as “a man of integrity” and urged the judge to reconsider his decision to deny bail. 

“His appearance has always been beyond reproach, and he has a very optimistic attitude about life,” he said. “In his Christian walk, I believe you would find him solid in his beliefs. He is a man of integrity and good leadership skills, which are virtues we need today.”

Meakin also said that Cotrill had “consistently demonstrated conscientiousness to his ministry responsibilities” at Center Pointe Church.

Cotrill’s family has likewise pleaded with Myers to allow Cotrill to be released on bond pending his trial in January, citing medical issues, as well as his presence in the community and at Center Pointe Church.

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The family also launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Cotrill’s legal expenses, though the account has since been deactivated after GoFundMe determined that it violated its terms of service.