Video: Pastor child porn case in Dallas has Seattle tie

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ISSAQUAH, Wash. - A well respected pastor is accused of trading child porn from his church computer. He's been arrested in Dallas, Texas, but the case has a big tie to the Seattle area.

In August, federal agents executed a search warrant at the Issaquah apartment building of a child porn suspect, a man identified in court papers by the initials M.H.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) agents then assumed M.H.'s online identity and went hunting for more predators. They say they found one in the most unexpected place - the First Methodist Church of Royse City, Texas.

Agents say 38-year-old Reverend Steve Richardson used his church and home computers to chat with the undercover Seattle agent and trade 11 child porn photos. Agents arrested Richardson at his church Wednesday.

"If you'd heard the groaning and the crying that went on when this was announced. It was just shocking for the whole church," said Kat Elliott, church member.

"I've never seen anything since I've known Steve that would even hint at anything like this - never," said Richard Davis, church member.

While Richardson made his first appearance in federal court in Dallas, ICE agents in Seattle say this case is an example of how they must keep pace with the far reaching web of Internet child porn.

KING

Agents say 38-year-old Reverend Steve Richardson used his church and home computers to chat with the undercover Seattle agent and trade 11 child porn photos. Agents arrested Richardson at his church in Royse City, Texas, Wednesday.

Federal agents won't say much more about the investigation at the Issaquah apartment complex except that it's ongoing and they hope to ensure more pedophiles.

Agents have identified at least three other computer users with whom Pastor Richardson allegedly traded child porn.