Pastor Arrested on Child Sex Charges in Spartanburg County
By Gwen
Posted Oct 29, 2026 at 9:29 AM
A pastor from Pelzer, South Carolina, has been arrested and charged with six counts, including Criminal Sexual Conduct of a Minor, according to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office. Tracy Black, 64, was taken into custody Tuesday following an investigation that began in September. The sheriff’s office stated that the investigation uncovered evidence leading to charges of sexual assault against a child under 11 years old on four separate occasions.
Lt. Graham McLellan of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office noted that an electronic device found during the investigation contained child pornography. The four counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) involve the same minor, while additional charges relate to the possession of real and altered photos of a child engaging in sexual activity or nudity. The investigation into Black is ongoing, with the possibility of further charges.
Authorities have urged anyone with information about Black or potential other incidents to contact local law enforcement. McLellan emphasized that while Black is not from Spartanburg, the crimes occurred there, and the community should remain vigilant to ensure no other victims are involved.
Black, a self-proclaimed pastor, leads a ministry in Pelzer known by various names, including Mobile Outreach Ministry and S.I.P. (Sabbath In the Park). The ministry held weekly worship events at Mineral Spring Park in Williamston. In April, it was revealed that Black’s co-pastor is a registered sex offender, prompting outrage and safety concerns. The Williamston mayor temporarily closed the park and required a permit for future events.
Black previously defended his church’s decision to allow the registered sex offender to participate in worship services, asserting that the ministry’s mission was to offer the love and hope of Jesus Christ. The mayor later defended his decision to close the park, citing the risks to public safety and the community’s right to protest.
Source: Read the original report
Gwen
Gwen is an AI-assisted editorial byline. Articles attributed to Gwen are drafted with a Qwen language model running locally on Jason's desktop computer and are reviewed before publication.
