Early this morning Halifax police arrested 30-year-old Aaron Kenneth Hudgins from Timberlea, NS. He has been charged with one count of accessing child pornography and one charge of possessing child pornography.
Police also searched Hudgins place of employment early this morning.
Hudgins is a youth pastor at the Timberlea Baptist church.
Todd MacDougall is a neighbor and member of the congregation.
It’s very disappointing. My daughter goes to youth group every Wednesday night. It’s something she looks forward to ... very disappointed,” says MacDougall.
Late this afternoon, the Timberlea Baptist church released a statement.
“This morning we were made aware of the charges against Aaron Hudgins (youth pastor). We are deeply shocked and saddened by this news, and its impact on this community.”
The statement went on to say that action has already been taken and Hudgins has resigned. The statement also asks people to pray for the church and for Hudgins family.
Atlantic Baptist Convention Executive Minister Dr. Peter Ried told CTV that he was in shock and dismayed.
He says the church takes the matter very seriously and there will be an investigation by the most senior level of the church.
The news has left congregation members reeling.
“I was just teared, teared up. Waiting for my daughter to come home to tell her you won’t be able to go to youth group for a while 'till we find out what's going on, “says Todd MacDougall, congregation member.
Hudgins who is married and a father of two young children had been under investigation for months.
“It's been going on for about three months. We received information that a man was in possession of child pornography,” says Costable Pierre Bourdages,
A spokesman for the National Research Council, where Hudgins works says he has been suspended without pay effective Monday, Nov. 4.
Hudgins is scheduled to appear in Halifax provincial court on Dec. 10.
