Ex-Youth Pastor Charged With Online Solicitation

TOMBALL, TX — A former Champions Forest Baptist Church youth pastor is behind bars, and facing charges of online solicitation of a minor.

Timothy Jeltema was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly sending nude photographs of himself to a young girl who'd attended the church.

The child made an outcry to parents and the church, who both contacted Tomball Police on June 9 to file a formal complaint.

The girl told police that Jeltema, 28, had not only sent her nude photograophs of himself, but had asked her to send him nude photos of herself, and indicated he wanted to arrange a meeting so they could have sex.

On June 12, Jeltema was arrested and charged with for online solicitation and is being held without bond.

Meanwhile , church officials said when they learned of Jeltema's behavior with an 18-year-old church member, he was terminated, and when they learned that younger members had also been contacted, they went to the police.

Officials with Champions Forest Baptist Church released a statement on Wednesday:

“Jeltema’s employment with us was terminated on May 15, 2018, the same day he was accused of,
and admitted to, improper contact via social media with an 18-year-old member of our church.
Though no laws were known to have been broken at that time, he was immediately dismissed for a
clear violation of the church’s written code of conduct and his admission that he did not follow
Champion Forest policies and regulations that pastors of students and adult volunteers must never
communicate electronically one-on-one with students. Champion Forest has zero tolerance for a lack
of adherence to its Safe and Secure policies, including the inappropriate use of social media and
electronic communication with students.
“Yesterday’s arrest, however, stems from allegations that surfaced one month after his termination
from Champion Forest Baptist Church—and that we immediately reported to law enforcement—in
which a female teenage minor made claims against Jeltema of online sexual misconduct."

As a result of this, Champions Forest Baptist Church is reviewing their policies.

Church leaders have urged anyone who has been contacted by Jeltema through any social media outlets to contact Tomball Police.

Police said that because of Jeltema's former position with the church, they believe he may have solicited as many as 25 other young girls between the ages of 14 to 17-years-old.

Since his arrest, several other juvenile girls have come forward.

Police said Jeltema is known to have used the following handles on social media accounts on Snapchat, Instagram and other social media accounts:

• b.rice12
• b.rice120
• b.rice100
• b.rice1000
• eneeley35

If you know anyone following one of his accounts on Snapchat or Instagram, or a juvenile who may have been contacted by him, Tomball Police and the church urge you to please contact Detective Smith at (281) 290-1315.

Image: Shutterstock

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