Former Denison Church Of The Nazarene Pastor David Pettigrew Gets 30 Years For Child Pornography Violations

CBS Dallas/Fort Worth

August 24, 2021

Former Denison Church of the Nazarene pastor David Pettigrew, 49, was sentenced to federal prison for sexual crimes against children. Pettigrew pleaded guilty on April 7, 2021 to sexual exploitation of children; conspiracy and attempt and was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant.

“David Pettigrew is a predator who used his position to exploit children for his own gratification,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Parents and kids in Grayson County trusted Pettigrew as an educator, pastor, and friend, all the while unaware of his criminal intent. Working with children is nothing short of a privilege, and EDTX is committed to ensuring that those who assume responsibility for children do not violate that position of trust.”

According to information presented in court, Pettigrew came to the attention of law enforcement through referrals sent by two electronic service providers and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which indicated that a user had uploaded files of suspected child pornography. Investigators traced the leads to Pettigrew’s home in Denison and the Denison Church of the Nazarene. Members of HSI and the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office served search warrants at both locations on August 6, 2020, at which time Pettigrew was arrested for transporting child pornography.

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