SPRINGFIELD (IL)
25 News Now [Peoria, IL]
January 30, 2026
By Jason Howell
A man who has served as a leader in the Lutheran Church in Illinois was arrested and appeared in court on a charge of child pornography.
Michael William Mohr, 54, of Springfield, was charged by complaint on Wednesday with one count of producing child pornography, according to the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.
Mohr waived his right to a detention hearing and will be held in jail until trial.
In a release, according to an affidavit, a court-approved search of Mohr’s home in Springfield allegedly found storage devices that contained videos of three juveniles in a bathroom. In a search of a home used by Mohr in Vandalia, hidden cameras disguised as a wall clock and a Bluetooth speaker were also allegedly uncovered.
The DOJ said the investigation began after one of the juveniles told Vandalia Police that he allegedly discovered a camera disguised as an electronic device charger in a hotel bathroom the morning after Mohr performed a sexual act, according to the affidavit.
At the time of his arrest, Mohr was the president of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
In a Thursday letter to the church community, church leaders replaced Mohr with First Vice President Rev. Michael Burdick as the district’s acting president.
The synod said they are cooperating fully with law enforcement and working with affected congregations and parishioners.
The synod encourages anyone who has been harmed to contact law enforcement. Anyone with further information should contact FBI St. Louis Special Agent Trevor Welter at 314-589-2500.
149 congregations, 23 elementary schools and five high schools are listed as part of the Central Illinois District, according to the district’s website, spanning 50 counties across the state.