By Philip Phi
Posted Sep 1, 2026 at 9:16 AM
A senior pastor from Terre Haute, Indiana, has been arrested on ten felony counts related to the possession of child sex abuse material. Daniel Willis, 62, was apprehended following a coordinated search of his home and workplace, where he serves as a senior pastor, executed by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
The investigation was initiated in early 2026 by Indiana State Police Detective Robert Whyte, prompted by multiple cybertipline reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and a private entity. The search warrants, issued by the ICAC Task Force, were executed with the assistance of detectives from the Indiana State Police, Terre Haute Police Department, forensic examiners from the ISP’s Digital Forensics Unit, and Special Agents from the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
During the search, law enforcement seized various electronic and digital media devices. Forensic examinations revealed evidence of child sex abuse files involving victims under the age of 12. Willis was arrested without incident and is currently being held at the Vigo County Jail, facing ten Level 4 felony counts of Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material.
This case underscores the importance of accountability and justice, as emphasized in Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” As the community grapples with this news, it is vital to remember the need for justice for the victims and the importance of supporting them through their healing journey. Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
The legal proceedings will determine Willis’s guilt or innocence, and it is crucial to uphold the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.” The community, while seeking justice, must also care for the victims, ensuring they receive the support and compassion they need during this challenging time. As Ephesians 5:11 teaches, “But have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, rather expose them,” this case serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and the protection of the vulnerable.
Source: Read the original report
Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
