A pastor in Las Vegas has apologised and stepped down from his position after being arrested for allegedly attempting to lure who he thought was a 14-year-old boy for a sexual act.
Neal Creecy, 46, who was senior pastor at Redemption Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, was arrested earlier this month as part of a major sting operation involving the Nevada Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the FBI, and local police departments.
Creecy was one of eight men arrested for attempting to lure a child online for sexual activity. Undercover officers posed as children in digital conversations as part of the operation.
Redemption Church rents its space from The Good Samaritan Lutheran Church, but leaders there have clarified that Creecy is not affiliated with their congregation.
W Don Seaborg, president of pastoral support for Redemption Church, confirmed that Creecy had resigned:
“As soon as he got out of jail—within an hour or two—he contacted us on a thread message and confessed. He offered his resignation when we met with him later that morning.”
According to police, Creecy admitted to charges of sexual misconduct and told investigators: “I’m so sorry.”
Creecy has been released on bail and is due to appear in court on 2nd September.