Former pastor gets 17 years for child porn

DALLAS — A former Methodist minister was sentenced Monday to 17 years in federal prison for possessing and sending child pornography over the Internet.

Steve Richardson, 36, former pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Royse City, east of Dallas, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay, who also ordered lifetime supervision after his release and registration as a sex offender, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Richardson has been in custody since his arrest Sept. 24 after an undercover investigation by a federal agent. The officer communicated with Richardson over Google Hello, an online photo-sharing service. He admitted possessing an external hard drive with more than 600 images of child pornography.

Richardson pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography and one count of transporting and shipping child pornography. Richardson, who was suspended from his clerical duties after his arrest, surrendered his credentials after the United Methodist Church’s North Texas Conference placed him on involuntary leave Dec. 1.

Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe expressed sorrow Tuesday for those Richardson hurt. "We do not tolerate the victimization of children in any form," he said. "We also continue to be in prayer for those in churches Mr. Richardson served."