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  Police: Man Distributed Child Porn
Music Director of Grace Community Church in Winter Haven Is Charged

By John Chambliss
The Ledger
September 1, 2007

http://www.theledger.com/article/20070901/NEWS/709010434/1134

WInter Haven — A music director at a local church has been charged by federal authorities with distributing child pornography.

Steven Wayne Mobley, a director at Grace Community Church on 652 Ave. L N.W., was arrested early Thursday on six counts of distributing child pornography by a computer.

At least six times from Jan. 12 to March 27, federal investigators said that Mobley distributed child pornography, according to a federal indictment.

The U.S. Attorney's Office did not release any more information about the charges.

Mobley has been with the church since it started about 2 1/2 years ago.

Senior Pastor Charles Harkala said Mobley is no longer with the church.

"I was shocked and saddened," Harkala said. "It's a knockout punch."

Records show that Mobley was arrested early Thursday at his home. Mobley's age and address were not provided in an indictment by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa.

Bail was set at $50,000 for Mobley, who was taken to a Tampa jail.

It's unclear if Mobley had posted bail Friday. Additional details about the arrest were not available Friday.

After hearing about the arrest, Harkala spoke with Mobley on Thursday night.

On Friday, Harkala was in the process of notifying the leaders of his church.

Harkala said he planned to tell his 150-member congregation about the arrest Sunday.

There are no computers at the church so it's nearly impossible that Mobley viewed pornography there, Harkala said.

Winter Haven police are aware of the arrest.

Detectives plan to write a letter to the church asking if any families are aware of any inappropriate behavior, said police Capt. Lisa Albury.

Harkala said the church will bounce back.

"It's just a shock," Harkala said. "It confuses people about what the gospel is."

John Chambliss can be reached at john.chambliss@theledger.com or 863-401-6965.

 
 

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