Editor’s Note: In support of the sixth strategic action of Vision 2025 adopted by messengers to the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting, Baptist Press will continue to report every instance of sexual abuse related to Southern Baptist churches, entities, institutions or leaders of which we are made aware.
LOXLEY, Ala. (BP) — The pastor of a church in Baldwin County has been arrested with four counts of possession of child pornography.
Allan Kyle Jones, pastor of Lifeway Community Church since January 2015, was taken into custody after a weeks-long investigation that began after the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office received a tip Jones was downloading child pornography. News reports indicate a cyber company that monitors such activity was the source of the tip that led to the arrest. Investigators developed enough probable cause to obtain a search warrant for Jones’ cell phone, with child pornography found on the device, according to news reports. Investigators said none of the images appear to be of children in Jones’ congregation or from the local area.
Jones has been formally charged with four counts of possession of obscene matter containing the visual depiction of a person under 17 years of age. He was booked into the Baldwin County Jail on Aug. 30 and released later that day after posting $60,000 bond.
The sheriff’s office says the investigation remains open and more charges are possible after additional evidence is analyzed.
If you are/have been a victim of sexual abuse or suspect sexual abuse by a pastor, staff member or member of a Southern Baptist church or entity, please reach out for help at 202-864-5578 or [email protected]. All calls are confidential.
