A former pastor from Sherwood, Arkansas was arrested earlier this year in connection to a child porn case. Following his arrest in May, 40-year-old David Reynolds was charged with up to 70 counts of possessing, viewing and distributing content depicting sexually explicit conduct with children. After receiving a tip from National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in January, Sherwood Police Department learned that an Internet user in the city had accessed a social media account carrying multiple images related to child pornography. A subsequent investigation by detectives led the department to Reynolds, who used to be a pastor at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship.

According to police officials, church leaders have been rather cooperative since the allegations against Reynolds surfaced.

The church also released a statement, saying, “On March 7th, the elders of Cornerstone removed Dave Reynolds from all responsibility at Cornerstone. Dave had informed two of the elders that he was engaged in pornography and thought the elders might learn of this from another party, hence he decided to inform us of his involvement in this sin. Those two elders specifically asked Dave if he had viewed underage pornography, to which he replied that he had not knowingly done so.

“Our present concern is with the people of Cornerstone to whom the Lord has entrusted us as shepherds. We have been and will continue to pursue all avenues to determine whether any of Cornerstone's people may have been directly or indirectly affected by any actions Dave may have taken.

“We are saddened that one who we trusted is accused of a crime and sin so significant and as defiling of humans as this. Yet we also remember that Dave denies any involvement in this crime and sin and, under the laws of Arkansas and the U.S., remains innocent until proven guilty.

“We have asked all of our people to join in prayer for our congregation for any who may have been directly impacted by Dave's actions and for his family and Dave.”

Sherwood Police Department confirmed there was no evidence to indicate any local children had been featured in the sexually explicit photographs that were circulated online. Even though the affidavit produced in court accused Reynolds of photographing a 13-year-old member of the church in a bathing suit, police officials said that picture could not be considered pornographic.

Consequently, Reynolds appeared in Sherwood District Court, pleading not guilty. However, he was ordered held with a bond of $250,000.

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