Monroe County church youth pastor arrested in Pennsylvania child pornography investigation

MONROE COUNTY, Ga. (WGXA) — A Mt. Zion Baptist Church youth pastor was arrested in connection with a child pornography investigation based in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).

The sheriff’s office says 30-year-old Johny Tyler Moreland of Macon was identified as a suspect in the case after Pa. State Police investigators learned that pornographic images of minors were being downloaded in the area of Mt. Zion Baptist Church located on Rivioli Road, where he is employed.

Five arrest warrants were served in Pennsylvania, and Moreland was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Houston County, where he is currently being held without bond awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.

MCSO and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are actively investigating any crime were committed in Georgia, and search warrants are set to be executed by Monroe and Bibb County authorities.

READ MORE | Man sentenced to 20 years for murder of rival gang member in west Macon, DA says

Anyone with information is urged to contact the MCSO Communications Division at 478-994-7010 or the Investigations at 478-994-7043.

Stick with WGXA as we learn more and update this developing story.