A youth pastor at Beltway Park Church in Abilene, Texas, has been arrested following allegations of possessing child pornography, according to a statement from the church and reports from local news outlets. Charles Goff, who served as a youth volunteer for approximately three years, was taken into custody and charged after admitting to soliciting nude photos from minors on social media platforms. Court documents reveal that Goff was found to have pornographic videos of young girls on his phone.
After confessing to a fellow church member about his issues with videos of 14 to 15-year-old girls, authorities were promptly notified by Beltway Park Church. The church stated that they are cooperating with the ongoing police investigation. Goff, who passed background checks in 2022 and 2024 with no signs of misconduct, is being held on a $100,000 bond, in a statement obtained by KFOX-TV.
Beltway Park Church issued a statement expressing support for the investigation into Charles Goff and sorrow for any young victims. Pastor David McQueen encouraged church members to contact the Abilene Police Department with any relevant information and offered support and prayers for those affected, as stated by My San Antonio News.
This incident is part of a pattern involving Southern Baptist Convention pastors. A 2019 report identified over 700 victims and 220 convicted pastors linked to sex crimes, but the convention has not created a database to track convicted leaders, raising concerns among North Texas churchgoers, a report by the My San Antonio News. Concerned individuals or potential victims are encouraged to contact law enforcement at 325-673-8331 to assist in the investigation.
