Youth director at Denton church arrested for possession of child porn, indecency with a child
DENTON — Denton police arrested a church youth director accused of engaging in inappropriate behavior with teenagers.
Detectives arrested Craig Stone, 63, on Tuesday and booked him into the City of Denton Jail on charges of possession of child pornography and indecency with a child by contact. The youth leader remained jailed Wednesday on a $20,000 bond.
Denton police did not name the church where Stone works, but the address corresponds to the Willowwood Church of the Nazarene. Stone's name is still on the church's website, where it says he deals with teens in grades 6-12 as Nazarene Youth International President and Youth Director.
Police said a parent and their child reported Stone on Aug. 28. During subsequent interviews, additional teenagers told detectives about possible sexual images of children on Stone's computer. He was also accused of inappropriately touching a male teenager.
On Tuesday, detectives executed a search warrant at the church and Stone's house, police said. Stone admitted to touching one victim and possessing naked images of another male victim. Police said the victims are high school-age teens.
CBS News Texas could not reach the church's pastor, Ken Tesch, for comment. An unidentified woman at a house on Willowwood's property said they had no comment and would not issue a statement on the investigation. They asked us to leave the property.
A couple who have lived near the church for five years asked CBS News Texas to conceal their identities. The two said they were not shocked about Stone's arrest.
"Yeah, relief. You know, hopefully, they find everything that has been going on and kids and also adults and families can stop getting hurt from this," the male neighbor said.
The couple said they are used to seeing kids at the church, but there's a group that called Stone, "Craig the Creep."
The investigation is ongoing. Denton police are asking anyone with information about Stone, including any unreported incidents, to contact Detective Marqui Curtis at (940) 349-7727.
