GRANITE FALLS (NC)
WCNC - NBC 36 [Charlotte NC]
February 13, 2025
By Matthew Ablon (WCNC)
Ashley James Crouse, 53, also reportedly kept a book on his computer that detailed how to sexually abuse children.
Editor’s Note: This story discusses sexual abuse against children. While no acts are described specifically, reader discretion is advised.
WCNC Charlotte has chosen to use this mugshot because of the severity of the crime and the nature of the suspect’s previous occupation.
A North Carolina pastor who was arrested on child sex abuse material charges in 2023 has learned he will spend the next decade behind bars.
The U.S. District Attorney’s Office in Western North Carolina announced Thursday that 53-year-old Ashley James Crouse of Granite Falls was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for possession and receipt of child sex abuse material. He will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
Crouse was arrested in November 2023 after the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were told Crouse, who at the time led New Vision Baptist Fellowship, had inappropriate contact with a minor. Deputies searched Crouse’s home and the church at the time.
The District Attorney’s Office said the tip about Crouse was originally made in April 2023 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip said a Dropbox account user had uploaded videos containing child sex abuse material. Investigators determined Crouse was the user in question. In November of that year, he was arrested and deputies seized a computer, iPad, and pair of thumb drives from his church office.
Federal investigators said Crouse admitted he had been downloading and collecting the material for around five or six years, viewing and downloading it on the church’s computer while handling pastoral business. He also admitted to sharing the material and links to it via Telegram and even used an AI program to make more.
Investigators also found that Crouse had maintained a book on his church computer that details how to sexually abuse children. He had also installed an anti-forensic program on it that he used to permanently delete files and folders.
The District Attorney’s Office said in total, he had more than 1,200 videos and 450 images depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Crouse pleaded guilty in August 2024 to possession of child pornography involving a minor under the age of 12 years and receipt of child pornography.
A website for the church still lists Crouse as the pastor. A Facebook page for the church has not posted about the arrest and investigation. WCNC Charlotte tried calling the number listed for New Vision Baptist Fellowship, but nobody picked up and a voicemail had not been set up.
The church is listed as an active congregation with the Southern Baptist Convention according to the denomination’s online directory.
In recent years, the SBC – the largest Protestant denomination in the United States – has faced scrutiny after convention leaders were found to have kept a secret database of hundreds of pastors and church personnel accused of sexual abuse. The database included pastors and personnel in the Carolinas.
Granite Falls is located about 64 miles northwest of Charlotte.
If you or a loved one is facing domestic violence, help is readily available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Resources for help are available in both North Carolina and South Carolina.