Man Described as Former Youth Pastor at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, Charged With Child Pornography Possession

Court records show that Carter Thomas, 27, was arrested Wednesday, December 3, 2025, while on his way to turn himself in, according to one report. He had been identified as a former volunteer youth pastor at Houston Second Baptist Church, though the church disputes that description, as explained below.

Authorities began looking into Thomas in August 2025. One report says the Harris County Sheriff’s Office became aware of suspicions after receiving an email from an individual. The other says police received an emailed tip that he was viewing child sexual abuse material. Investigators later reported finding about 23 images on Thomas’s phone and tablet that met the criteria for child abuse material. Reports differ on the forensic findings involving the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). One report says digital forensics showed that 14 of the photos had previously been identified by NCMEC. The other says one image was identified by NCMEC as child sexual abuse material and 14 were identified as files previously submitted.

Court records allege that Thomas worked as a volunteer youth pastor at Second Baptist Church and was responsible for escorting children and supervising youth activity. Thomas’s defense attorney, Stephen Aslett, said Thomas was not working at the church in any capacity when the investigation began. A Second Baptist spokesperson said Thomas was never a pastor at the church and that the title “volunteer youth pastor” does not exist. The spokesperson declined to comment on whether Thomas had ever volunteered there.

Thomas was booked into the Harris County Jail on Wednesday. He is charged with one count of possessing child pornography, a charge described in the other report as possession of child sexual abuse material. The charge is an accusation, and Thomas has not been convicted. One report states that he posted bond, which was set at $15,000.

Bond conditions prohibit Thomas from being within 1,000 feet of locations where children frequently gather and from volunteering at any church, a restriction that addresses the protection of children during the case (Mark 9:42).