CLEVELAND (OH)
Local 3 News [Cleveland, OH]
December 28, 2023
By Abigail Martin
Richard Sentell is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography. He is out on a $75,000 bond.
Sentell was the lead pastor at Cornerstone Church of God in Cleveland. The church has not responded to our calls and the church’s website was taken down sometime today.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NMEC) helps find missing children and fights child victimization. They received a report of suspicious internet activity at Sentell’s home. Then, the investigation started.
Detective Matt Landolt with the Cleveland Police Department explains their relationship with the nonprofit.
“From there, we do a follow-up investigation. We were able to collect some evidence at the suspect’s home. From there, we do a forensic analysis on that evidence,” he explains.
The department says that led to the discovery of a large amount of images depicting the sexual abuse of children. A Bradley County grand jury indicted Sentell for sexual exploitation of a minor, over 100 images.
“Lord, I ask you to help this preacher. Lord, to forget that a camera’s eyes is on him, but to remember that Your eye is always on me,” says Sentell in a previous sermon.
Detective Landolt says they cannot disclose if they are looking for victims, but says cases like this are always active and open.
He says after a report is made, the NCMEC will compile a file of information. That file is shared with law enforcement.
“The center can receive a report from a citizen about suspicious activity they may find on the internet, or an electronic service provider could provide that information to them,” explains the detective. “Whether it be Facebook, Google, etc.”
He says any report they get, they have to establish whether a crime was committed and if there are child victims.
He says they work on child sexual abuse cases almost every day, working to find people distributing, viewing, possessing, or producing materials.
“Every child behind that image, they were a victim,” he says. “As their pictures are dispersed, they are continually re-victimized.”
Landolt says the partnership is a great resource to have as they work to protect the community and children who may need help protecting themselves.
To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, or production of child pornography, file a report on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children or call 1-800-843-5678.