Denton church youth leader arrested for possession of child pornography and sexual abuse of a child

DENTON — Denton police arrested a church youth leader accused of inappropriate behavior toward teenagers.

Detectives arrested 63-year-old Craig Stone on Tuesday and booked him into the Denton City Jail. He is charged with possession of child pornography and sexual abuse of children. The youth leader remained in custody on $20,000 bail on Wednesday.

Denton police did not release the name of the church where Stone works, but the address matches Willowwood Church of the Nazarene. Stone's name is still on the church's website, where it says he works with youth in grades 6 through 12 as president and youth director of Nazarene Youth International.

According to the police report, a parent and child reported Stone on August 28. During subsequent interviews, other juveniles told investigators about possible sexual images of children on Stone's computer. He was also accused of inappropriately touching a male juvenile.

On Tuesday, investigators executed a search warrant for the church and Stone's home, police said. Stone admitted to touching one victim and possessing nude images of another male victim. Police said the victims were high school-aged teenagers.

CBS News Texas was unable to reach the church's pastor, Ken Tesch, for comment. An unidentified woman at a home on Willowwood's property said they had no comment and would not comment on the investigation. They asked us to leave the property.

A couple who have lived near the church for five years asked CBS News Texas to keep their identities confidential. The two said they were not shocked by Stone's arrest.

“Yes, relief. Hopefully they will find out everything that happened and no more children, adults and families will have to be harmed,” said the male neighbor.

The couple said they were used to seeing children at church, but there was a group there that Stone called “Craig the creep.”

The investigation is ongoing. Denton police are asking anyone with information about Stone, including unreported incidents, to contact Detective Marqui Curtis at (940) 349-7727.