A former families minister at Newnan Church of Christ is headed to prison after Coweta County prosecutors said investigators found explicit child exploitation videos on his electronic devices. A Coweta County judge handed down multiple 20-year sentences this spring and ordered that the defendant serve 10 years behind bars before he can be released. Local reports identify the former minister as James Morgan Gravley, who had been listed on the church's staff page before his arrest.
Plea and sentence
Gravley pleaded guilty on April 27 to four counts of sexual exploitation of children, and a Coweta County judge sentenced him to four concurrent 20-year terms with a 10-year service requirement, according to WSB-TV. The plea wrapped up the county-level case that began with an investigation earlier in 2024.
Investigation and evidence
Coweta County Sheriff’s Internet Crimes Against Children investigators opened their case after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. That tip led to a search in which deputies reported finding multiple videos on Gravley’s electronic devices that depicted children engaged in sexual activity, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. Investigators told reporters they did not believe any children at Newnan Church of Christ were victimized in connection with the material.
Arrest and search warrant
Deputies arrested Gravley in April 2024 after serving a search warrant at a home on Buttonbush Court in Newnan and seizing several electronic devices, according to Atlanta News First. Booking records listed his employer as Newnan Church of Christ and noted that he was serving as a families minister on the church’s staff page before his arrest.
Church response
The congregation issued a brief statement to Channel 2 indicating that "James Morgan Gravley is no longer serving on the ministry staff" and asking the community to pray for those affected, according to WSB-TV. Church leaders did not comment publicly on the specifics of the investigation; current contact information and staff listings are posted on the church’s website.
Legal context
Georgia’s statute on the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual material is O.C.G.A. § 16-12-100, which defines "sexual exploitation of children" and allows separate counts for multiple images or videos, according to Justia. People convicted under these laws are typically required to register as sex offenders and can face lengthy prison terms; summaries of Georgia penalties and registration requirements are outlined by FindLaw.
