Darryl Farrier, of Franklin, was arrested on Friday and charged with one count of third-degree child endangerment and one count of possession of child pornography.
A 36-year-old youth pastor tried to meet a 15-year-old girl in public to engage in sexual acts and had more than 100 images of minors being abused, according to police reports.
Darryl Farrier, of Franklin, was arrested on Friday and charged with third-degree child endangerment and possession of child pornography.
The Vernon Police Department received a report that a 24-year-old man was attempting to meet a 15-year-old girl at a local deli.
As officers were investigating the nature of these conversations, which happened on various social media applications, they said they noticed another conversation with a user later determined to be Farrier.
The conversation, according to the criminal complaint, was "sexual in nature" and involved Farrier trying to meet the teen "in a location to perform sexual acts including a 'hand job.'"
Authorities received a search warrant for Farrier's home and electronics. A review of his iPod, a thumb drive and other electronics showed that Farrier had more than 100 images depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of minors.
Farrier, the document states, also attempted to locate two girls in his area and also had "sexually-charged chats with females who stated their ages to be under 18."
Farrier was a youth pastor at Freedom Church in Oak Ridge.
Calls placed to the church and his home were not returned.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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