Megachurch Staffer Arrested On Child Porn Charges

November 8, 2022 Christianists, Crime

The Gainesville Times reports:

A Gainesville man charged with having child pornography was a Free Chapel employee who has since been terminated by the church. Jeffrey H. Shinn, 47, was arrested Thursday, Nov. 3, after authorities searched his home.

The Sheriff’s Office said Shinn shared pornographic videos on Aug. 29 and Sept. 19, using peer-to-peer software to download the videos. Investigators also seized Shinn’s electronic devices, and more charges are possible after those devices are processed.

Free Chapel Executive Pastor Tracy said Shinn was fired, though he did not say how long Shinn was employed with the church. “We are deeply saddened by this news, and we are praying for all involved.”

Read the full article. Shinn is being held on four felony counts of child exploitation. Free Chapel is a sprawling organization with multiple sites and a main auditorium that seats 3000.

Free Chapel’s senior pastor is televangelist Jentezen Franklin, who first appeared on JMG in 2020 when he was sued by another pastor over millions in donations intended for a project for Holocaust survivors.

Franklin was among the evangelicals who famously “land hands” on Trump in the Oval Office. Franklin was also among those who contracted COVID at a White House holiday party.



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