Former Pastor Arrested on Porn Charges

By Melissa Ross
First Coast News

LEON COUNTY, FL -- The Leon County Sheriff's Office arrested a former pastor on pornography charges.

Aaron D. West, 49, is accused of sending nude pictures of a man to two girls in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

The investigation began when a detective in Wisconsin alerted authorities in Bradford County about a man in the area sending nude photos to the young girls.

Investigators questioned West about the matter.

West reportedly admitted to investigators to communicating in an internet chat room and sending nude photos of a man other than himself.

Investigators believe West had been sending the photos and communicating with the minors since 2002 when he served as pastor of the Faith Baptist Church in Lawtey.

West is no longer a pastor at the church.

Investigators believe West lives and works in Tallahassee.

Authorities confiscated West's home computer and related equipment.

He is being held in the Leon County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

West is due in court in Bradford County next week to face felony charges of possessing or transmitting pornography to a minor.