Memphis pastor indicted for child pornography

WMC
August 20, 2015

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MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - A Memphis pastor has been indicted on child pornography charges.

Investigators said Demarcus Smith, 32, coerced a boy to take pictures of himself engaging in sexually explicit conduct and send him the pictures.

Smith is a pastor at Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church in South Memphis. He's also a member of the Baptist Ministerial Association.

Investigators said he coerced the boy between August 2014 and May 2015.

"It's sickening. It's extremely sickening, not just for the community’s sake, but to the bible itself,” said Lakisha Davis. To the people, to what you're supposed to represent, it's sad."

Davis said her young son visited Oak Hill often.

"I am saddened to say that he has attended there with members of my family. He won't be going there anymore, though."

Although he is under fire, some still stand by the pastor.

"I don't believe that,” said one choir member. “I don't believe that. He just don't seem like that type of person.