Former Gretna pastor faces voyeurism, child porn charges

A former church pastor in south-central Manitoba faces voyeurism and child pornography charges after two girls found a mobile device taking photos and video of them in a park washroom.

A 34-year-old man from Gretna, Man., was arrested on May 21 and faces charges of voyeurism, production of child pornography and possession of child pornography, RCMP announced Friday.

He will appear in court in Steinbach on June 26.

Police did not release the suspect's name but said he was a pastor in Gretna. He is no longer in his position with the church, they added.

"He took advantage of his role in the community to access potential victims," RCMP stated in a news release, adding that they believe there are multiple other victimswho are currently being interviewed.

According to police, two female youths were at Moose Lake Provincial Park in the summer of 2012 when they discovered a "mobile device" inside the washroom of the place where they were staying.

The device contained still images and video of the two girls, who were from the Rural Municipality of Rhineland, said police.

RCMP said they started investigating when the matter was reported to them in December 2013.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case to call the Altona RCMP detachment at (204)324-5217 or by calling Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (toll free).