PHILADELPHIA (PA)
ChurchLeaders [Colorado Springs CO]
November 6, 2026
By Dale Chamberlain
A Philadelphia pastor has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to child sex exploitation. Bryan Jackson, 42, is alleged to have worked in coordination with another Philadelphia pastor.
Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of child sex abuse that some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
Jackson had been serving as a pastor at Garden of Prayer Church of God in Christ (GOP COGIC). He was arrested in June alongside Isaiah Banks, former senior pastor of Second Pilgrim Baptist Church.
RELATED: Russell Brand Found Guilty of Rape and 3 Counts of Sexual Assault
Banks, 30, is accused of grooming children to solicit explicit images from the victims. Banks is accused of then sharing those images with Jackson.
Jackson is accused of soliciting explicit images directly from one child by posing online as an older girl.
Jackson was previously arrested for soliciting prostitution in 2006.
The investigation into Jackson’s crimes began in April after a witness saw messages from Banks on one victim’s phone. The messages allegedly included promises of food or money in exchange for sexually explicit videos.
The witness reported the messages to a therapist, who contacted authorities.
Following the pastors’ arrests, District Attorney Larry Krasner said, “The predatory sexual abuse committed by both clergy members is an egregious abuse of their positions of trust in the community.”
RELATED: Colorado Pastor Arrested on Child Sex Abuse Charges
“While these defendants are not representative of the countless clergy members who serve with fidelity, these crimes are especially troubling given their access to young people. The survivors deserve compassion, support, and justice,” said Krasner.
Jackson has now pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture child sex abuse material (CSAM), manufacture and attempted manufacture of CSAM, and receipt of CSAM.
Jackson is set to be sentenced on Feb. 19, 2027. He faces a maximum sentence of 80 years in prison.
In a statement following the arrests of Jackson and Banks, Second Pilgrim Baptist Church said, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by these developments as the safety and well-being of our congregation and the broader community are our highest priority.”
RELATED: New York Megachurch Executive Pastor Sentenced to 8 Years for Child Sex Crimes
ChurchLeaders has reached out to Garden of Prayer Church of God in Christ and Second Pilgrim Baptist Church for comment and will update this article in the event of a response.