BRIGHTON (MI)
The Stream/Daily Caller Foundation [Washington D.C.]
September 17, 2024
By Mark Tanos
A Michigan pastor has been arrested and fired after admitting to placing a hidden camera in a church bathroom, according to a church official, The Detroit News reported.
Will Johnson, 37, the former worship pastor director at 2|42 Community Church in Brighton, was arrested last Friday, according to The Detroit News. A church staffer discovered a hidden camera in “a non-public, unisex bathroom in the (Brighton church’s) backstage area,” 2|42 Community Church’s executive pastor of ministry operations Eric Rauch said, the outlet reported. Rauch reportedly alleged that Johnson confessed to installing the camera after being confronted by church leadership. He was immediately dismissed from his position, the executive pastor added, according to the outlet.
Johnson allegedly admitted the same to Livingston County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) detectives following his arrest, The Detroit News reported. He reportedly said he had intermittently installed the camera over the past two years and targeting specific people employing the bathroom, according to the LCSO.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by this situation, as the protection, safety, and privacy of every person who enters our church is our priority,” Rauch told the outlet. “2|42 Community Church is cooperating fully with the sheriff’s office investigation and is taking proactive steps, including engaging with a third-party investigator, to ensure the safety of all our facilities.” (RELATED: Megachurch Pastor, Author Steps Away From Ministry Citing Past ‘Sin’)
Johnson has reportedly been charged with with evidence tampering, surveilling an unclothed individual and employing a computer for criminal activity He is in custody at Livingston County Jail on a $250,000 bond and is expected in court Sept. 24, according to records, the outlet reported.
Johnson could reportedly serve up to a four-year prison term for the tampering charge, up to a two-year term for the surveillance charge and up to a two-year term for the computer charge if convicted.