NORTH CAROLINA
StarNews
A youth leader at a New Hanover County church was arrested Thursday evening, accused of taking indecent liberties 11-year-old.
By F.T. Norton StarNews Staff
NEW HANOVER COUNTY — A youth pastor at a New Hanover County church was arrested Thursday evening, accused of taking indecent liberties with an 11-year-old boy.
Tyler Simkus Smither, 30, is charged with felony indecent liberties with a child. According to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office arrest warrant, Smither “unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did commit and attempt to commit a lewd and lascivious act” on the child.
Sheriff’s Lt. Jerry Brewer said the offense, between Nov. 20-Nov. 21, is internet-based.
At the time of his arrest, Smither was a youth pastor at Harbor United Methodist Church on Masonboro Loop Road. On his Facebook page, Smither states he is from Raleigh and that he previously worked as a youth pastor at a Mississippi church.
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