Adelaide Church youth pastor Daniel Menelaou arrested in US for allegedly sharing child sex abuse material

An Australian youth pastor who worked at the Future Church in Adelaide has been charged in the US for allegedly sharing sexually explicit videos involving children. Daniel Menelaou, 28, was arrested by the Roswell Police Department in Georgia following a cyber tip he shared illicit content on a messaging and sharing app called Kik. Mr Menelaou was charged with six counts of possession or control of any material depicting a minor in sexually explicit conduct on March 12, following an investigation by the Roswell Police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. US authorities received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in February, and had been investigating Mr Menelaou before his arrest. Police seized several electronic devices from Mr Menelaou that will be analysed for evidence. Roswell Police Officer Tim Lup told media the allegations were shocking, particularly for someone who worked with young people. “It’s egregious behaviour regardless of who is engaged in it in particular somebody that has connections to young people and it raises the threat level to another degree,” he said. “As you can imagine, when we have somebody who is engaging in this type of behaviour, who also occupies a position of authority or influence with young people, that’s something that we’re going to look into very closely.” Police allege Mr Menelaou admitted he received the videos, sent them to another phone and had a pornography addiction, the Atlanta News site reported. “I’m shocked. The fact that he’s a youth pastor and that he’s with children all the time is very scary,” local resident Tama Meixner told reporters. The 28-year old married man began working as a youth pastor at the Paradise church in Adelaide’s east in 2018, but had recently relocated to the US and was working with the Future Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. According to Mr Menelaou’s LinkedIn profile he had also been a student mentor at Temple Christian College in Paralowie and worked at the Apple store in Adelaide. A statement released by the church said they were appalled and terminated Mr Menelaou once they became aware of the full extent of the charges. A Future Church spokesman based in the US said the charges were “abhorrent, appalling, and completely contrary to everything we stand for” and they would support his wife who had been “placed in an incredibly painful position.” “We are horrified by what has been revealed and categorically condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms,” a spokesman said. “Until his arrest, we had no prior knowledge of any allegations or indication of wrongdoing. “The details outlined in the arrest warrant are deeply disturbing and stand in total opposition to our unwavering commitment to protecting children. “Our hearts go out first and foremost to any victims who have been harmed.” The Futures Church in Adelaide has been contacted for comment.