Note: this article deals with child abuse.
A Southern Baptist pastor has asked his congregation to write letters supporting his son-in-law, vouching for the man’s integrity and character following his arrest for possessing child sexual abuse material, according to an article in The Roys Report.
Tom Johnson is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Auburndale, Florida. Last week, he sent a text message to church members thanking them for their response after his son-in-law, Drew McGaffigan, was arrested and jailed.
McGaffigan’s alleged crimes came to light after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children notified investigators that an electronic service provider had reported him for using his phone to download child pornography images.
Detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant for his phone and discovered 30 files depicting children being sexually assaulted. Following his arrest, investigators searched more electronic devices and found 46 additional explicit images and videos. Roys Report notes:
Several images had captions justifying child rape, according to the sheriff’s office. McGaffigan’s files also contained several videos showing little girls being raped. One showed a child with obscene instructions written on her body with a black pen, according to court documents.
The victims in the material ranged in age from six months to 12 years old and included images of a child being forced to commit sexual acts with a dog.
McGaffigan has three daughters, and it is unclear whether any of the images depict them.
Pastor Johnson told congregants in the message: “It is very encouraging to see you be exactly what the church should be in circumstances like these. Please remember this is a spiritual battle, and we need to stand in the armor of God, always trusting God.”
Noting that McGaffigan has pleaded “not guilty,” Johnson advised that whatever has so far been publicly revealed about the content he allegedly downloaded “may or may not be true” and “should not determine his guilt or innocence.”
“It would be very helpful if you would write a letter. We have been praying for deliverance, restoration, a dismissal of the case, a miracle.
The ramifications for their family if he is found guilty are extreme, as the prosecutor may ask for many years of incarceration as well as other serious penalties that could be applied.
If you are willing, as an acquaintance or friend, to write a letter about Drew and his character as you observed it while you have known him, we would greatly appreciate it.”
Florida is one of the harshest states in punishing those convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material. McGaffigan faces 76 criminal counts, each carrying up to five years in prison.
Johnson said the letters, which are being requested by McGaffigan’s attorney, should follow this outline:
- a. I am… (your name and tell something about yourself—what you do and/or have done, number of children, anything that shows your integrity, such as degrees, length of employment, businesses owned, etc.).
- b. I know him because… (say how you know him).
- c. Good things you know about him (his character as you observed it, with any specific examples you might like to add).
- d. When released, how he will be supported by you (accountability, prayer, church family support, personal support, etc.).
- e. Do not give an opinion of guilt or innocence. Instead, you may say something like, “I do not believe the charges against him reflect who he really is” or “who I know him to be.”
- f. It is perfectly okay to ask for mercy.
One response to “SBC Pastor Asks Congregation to Write Character Letters for Son-in-Law Accused of Possessing CSAM”
Sounds as if they admit he did do it but want leniency, just because. Sorry, but my compassion is reserved for the children who need counseling to recover from sexual abuse, not for their abusers.