Former Rochester Youth Pastor Charged in Online Sex Abuse Sting

YNN
August 13, 2012

http://rochester.ynn.com/content/top_stories/595079/former-rochester-youth-pastor-charged-in-online-sex-abuse-sting/

[with video]

Canadian authorities arrested a former Rochester church youth pastor on charges he lured a child online for sex.

Kris Allan Gowdy, 42, of Newcastle, Ontario, is charged with luring a child via the computer and attempted aggravated sexual assault.

Police say Gowdy was arrested after an investigator posed as a teenage boy Gowdy set up a meeting with for the purpose of having sex.

Canadian police said Gowdy frequented many sites under the name 'collegetoy2033.'

Gowdy is a pastor at a church in Courtice Canada. He previously worked at this Lakeview Church in Saskatoon.

Police confirmed Gowdy is HIV positive and believe he contracted the virus in the 1990s.

While police said his arrest doesn't appear to be connected with the church, they're concerned there may be more victims.

"The primary concern of our church is our people, especially the youth in our care. We are focusing all of our time and attention on looking after our families," said Jay Stark, Lakeview Church Board Chairman.

Police said Gowdy worked as a youth counselor in many cities, including Rochester. The pastor with the New Hope Free Methodist Church on Union Street confirms Gowdy was a youth pastor there from 2003 to 2005. The pastor says he has reached out to people Gowdy may have had contact with while working at the church.

Authorities in Canada ask anyone who has information about Gowdy to call 1-800-222-8477.