Pastor Charged with Soliciting a Child

By Rachel West
WAVY
March 1, 2013

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/crime/pastor-charged-with-soliciting-a-child

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) - A Chesapeake pastor is facing a felony charge, accused of internet crimes involving a child.

Kelly O’Sullivan with the Chesapeake Police Department told WAVY.com the Chesapeake Police Internet Crimes Against Children unit began an investigation into Haden Conrad of the 1200 block of Orville Avenue.

Thursday, officers served several search warrants at both his home and place of business in the 1200 block of Chesapeake Avenue, O’Sullivan added. Police took a computer from each location.

Conrad, 32, was charged with computer solicitation of a child under 15, a class 5 felony.

Friends and neighbors told WAVY.com Conrad is married with two foster children, who were taken away from the couple.

Conrad is listed as the pastor of Chesapeake Avenue United Methodist Church , located at 1200 Chesapeake Ave.

“It is devastating. It's terrible,” church member T.J. Cook said. “I have an 11-year-old. I have a 13-year-old. There was never ever any hint of this... no inappropriate contact."

“I was floored. I am not going to lie. He brought me more into the church than I have ever been into this church. I've been going to this church 20 years now, and now I am going to church every Sunday now because of him... this is just devastating," church member Emma Perry said.

According to the church's website , he has also served as a chaplain for the Chesapeake Police Department since May of 2012. The website also links to a blog by Conrad where he discusses this role.

"One of the things I do from time to time is ride-a-long with an officer from the 2nd Precinct," Conrad's latest entry says. "I usually ride the 4 p.m. to midnight shift. As we are riding around, as it starts getting dark and we patrol past a certain place or area, the officer will tell me something about it."

O'Sullivan told WAVY.com Conrad is no longer a chaplain with the police department, effective Wednesday, the day he was arrested. His position with the department was voluntary.

WAVY.com obtained a copy of the arrest warrant, which states Conrad is accused of emailing pictures of his private parts.

Further details were not immediately available. O’Sullivan said Conrad was being held at Chesapeake City Jail.