Youth Pastor Sentenced to Seven Years for Child Pornography After Life Sentence for Murder and Dismemberment of Teen

Ronnie Hyde, a former youth pastor in Jacksonville, Florida, has been sentenced to an additional seven years in state prison for child pornography charges. Hyde, 66, is already serving a life sentence for the 1994 murder and dismemberment of a 16-year-old boy he fostered. The new charges were added following a guilty plea on January 4, after detectives confirmed Hyde’s fingerprints on materials found at his residence.

The case against Hyde began when a teen disappeared in 1994, and a severed torso was discovered behind a dumpster. The Laster family claimed Hyde was the last person to see the boy alive. In 2017, DNA testing confirmed the torso belonged to Fred Laster. DNA from items in Hyde’s trash matched DNA found on a flannel shirt near Laster’s remains, leading to his arrest.

Hyde befriended Laster through Strength for Living Church, where he served as the youth pastor. The case was reopened after the family provided tips linking the cold-case murder to the missing teen. Authorities searched Hyde’s homes to investigate the disappearance, uncovering explicit materials that led to the child pornography charges.

At his attorney’s request, Hyde was tried separately on 25 charges of possessing child pornography. He pleaded guilty to three counts, acknowledging his involvement with the materials. Police have urged the public to come forward with information about potential victims, citing concerns about unreported crimes linked to Hyde.

Hyde was a licensed mental health counselor and volunteered at local prisons, nonprofits, and churches. Among the churches associated with him were North Jacksonville Baptist, First Baptist at Jacksonville Beach, First Baptist in Orange Park, and Ridgeview Baptist Church in Gainesville. His Facebook page, which has since been removed, listed Crosswater Community Church in Nocatee as one of his places of service in 2017.

Crosswater’s pastor, Jack Millwood, stated the church cooperated with the FBI investigation. He emphasized the church’s commitment to helping people and victims, expressing concern for any potential victims of Hyde’s crimes. North Jacksonville Baptist’s associate pastor also provided statements regarding the church’s cooperation with the investigation.

The case underscores the importance of accountability and transparency within religious institutions. As Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us, we must speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and defend the rights of the vulnerable. The pursuit of justice, as Ephesians 5:11 calls us to, involves exposing darkness and bringing light to hidden sins.

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