‘Disgusting, Vile And Repugnant’: Florida Youth Pastor Accused Of Using Church Wi-Fi To Download Child Porn

A youth pastor in Florida allegedly used his church's Wi-Fi to download child pornography, according to authorities.

On May 22, 2022, detectives were alerted to possible distribution of child pornography through a cybertip from a social media site, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Officer.

Detectives discovered Edward Wilds III, 44, had downloaded pornography images from Palatka Baptist Temple’s Wi-Fi after he finished up a Wednesday evening service.

Officials said 54,000 images were found on accounts and devices associated with Wilds. The majority of the images were pornographic.

Detectives discovered messaging conversations where Wilds was asked by another user for images of children between the ages of 14-16 years old. He sent 42 images, detectives said.

After getting subpoenas to confiscate his electronic devices, investigators confronted Wilds in March. They learned he had been banned by the company of one social media site several times, but officials did not name which site.

On April 14, Wilds was arrested after a nearly year-long investigation. He was charged with possession of child pornography and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, officials said.

Wilds, who also worked as an elementary school teacher, was suspended and removed from his role as a teacher once he was arrested, school officials said.

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Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach said this was a “clear cut case of child sexual exploitation” and he was “deeply troubled” with the situation.

DeLoach added, “Wilds’ behavior is disgusting, vile and repugnant and I will not tolerate it in our county.”