FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — A Forsyth County minister is facing child pornography charges.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said they received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that someone was uploading child pornography to the internet. Deputies obtained a warrant for Stonewall Lane in Tobaccoville.
T Elliot Welch, 34, was arrested and charged with one count of second degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Investigators said this is committed when the person charged knowingly records, photographs, films, develops, or duplicates material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity or distributes, transports, exhibits, receives, sells, purchases, exchanges, or solicits material that contains a visual representation of a minor engaged in sexual activity.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said Welch is a Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Stanleyville.
WFMY News 2 has reached out to the church for a statement but has not heard back at this time.
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office said it doesn't appear to be connected to any local victims.
Welch was placed in the Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center with bond secured in the amount of $50,000.00. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 13th, 2021.
If you have any other tips that could help with the investigation call the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office at (336) 727-2112; anonymously text information, photos, and video via Text-A-Tip at 336-920-8477; or anonymously call Crimestoppers at (336) 727-2800 for English or (336) 728-3904 for Spanish.
