Youth leader’s porn arrest shocks pastor

OCEAN SPRINGS — The pastor of Grace Independent Baptist Church said he was shocked to learn of the arrest of one of their youth volunteers this week on multiple counts of possession of child pornography.

The Rev. Paul Perkins said he informed his church congregation of the arrest of member Stephen Brown, 37, not long after authorities picked him up Tuesday at his Ocean Springs home.

“We are shocked and saddened by the news of one of our members being arrested,” Perkins said. “Steve was a volunteer in our youth program. The church has been informed, and we are praying for the family.”

Since the arrest, Perkins said he’s spoken to Brown’s wife and explained that her husband could not continue to serve as a youth volunteer.

“She understands,” he said.

Perkins said background checks are run on anyone who wishes to work or volunteer at the church, which was true in Brown’s case.

He said there was nothing in Brown’s background to suggest that he wasn’t suited for his role.

Brown has worked in jail ministries, Perkins said, and usually went to the George County jail each Friday night to serve as a volunteer chaplain.

Jackson County Sheriff’s investigators arrested Brown at his Glacier Avenue home following a search that resulted in the seizure of various items allegedly linking him to child pornography.

Brown is charged with four counts of possession.

He remained jailed Friday in Jackson County on a total bond of $1 million.

If convicted of all the charges, Brown faces a maximum prison sentence of 80 years.

Sheriff’s detective Hope Thornton initiated the investigation following her training in the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force through the state Attorney General’s Office.

The ICAC Task Force is composed of 61 regional agencies nationwide, according to the Web site. It is funded through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

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