Savage, Minn., children's pastor arrested on suspicion of soliciting minor

By Shelby Capacio
Fox 9
March 31, 2014

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/25111526/savage-minn-youth-pastor-arrested-for-soliciting-minor

SAVAGE, Minn. (KMSP) -

A children's pastor serving at a church in Savage, Minn., has been arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor through electronic communication to engage in sexual conduct. 

According to the Pope County Sheriff's Department, 24-year-old Matthew Boos was arrested on Friday afternoon. Boos remains in custody at the Douglas County Jail awaiting formal charges.

More information on the arrest is expected to be released on Monday, but the pastor of River Valley Church insisted that the case does not involve a child from the congregation there. 

Executive Pastor Darin Poli only agreed to speak with Fox 9 News by phone until he has all the facts, but he said the church is cooperating with authorities and has placed Boos on indefinite administrative leave pending the investigation.

River Valley Church has six different campuses, and the children's ministry in Savage holds faith services for 150 children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Boos has served as pastor there for three years, and Poli said his background check was clear when he was hired.

Poli added that he has never received a complaint about Boos during his time with the church.

As of Sunday morning, not only was the difficult service clouded by the news of the arrest, but the social media accounts Boos had maintained were all disabled.

Boos is married without children, but no one answered when Fox 9 News attempted to contact his wife at home.