Texas Youth Pastor Charged With Soliciting Sex From A Minor

BRYAN, TX — A 29-year-old youth pastor from Bryan has been arrested and charged with soliciting sex from a minor online. James Charles Landes turned himself over to the Brazos County Sheriff's Office Friday following charges stemming from an undercover sting in Brazos County, The Eagle reported. Landes had worked at First United Methodist Church for about a year and was fired over the weekend, The Eagle added.

The sting involved a law enforcement officer posing as a 14-year-old girl on a social media app. At some point during Landes' alleged communications on the app, he asked suggestive questions and to meet at Sadie Thomas Memorial Park in Bryan for sex while he was on a work break, The Eagle added.

If convicted of online solicitation of a minor, a third-degree felony, Landes faces up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. The charge against Landes was made by the Texas' Office of the Attorney General. His bond is set at $15,000, according to TV station KBTX. Landes posted bail and was released Sunday, according to Brazos County Jail records.

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Photo via Brazos County Judicial Records