Chad Michael Rider, Child Exploitation, Texas 2022

A Denison youth pastor has been convicted of child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.

Chad Michael Rider, 48, was found guilty of three counts of the sexual exploitation of children, also referred to as the production of child pornography.

The jury returned the verdict late today following a five-day trial before U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant.

According to the court documents and testimony at trial, in August 2022, Homeland Security Investigations agents were investigating David Pettigrew, of Denison, for child pornography offenses.

Agents seized a computer hard drive from Pettigrew's office at the Denison Church of the Nazarene. Forensic review of the device revealed videos of Pettigrew and Rider setting up to film children while bathing at the church.

Additional videos were located in which Rider filmed two other children in residential settings.

Under federal statutes, Rider faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison on each count.

The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/denison-youth-pastor-convicted-child-exploitation-violations