VIRGINIA BEACH — On Wednesday, a former employee of the Virginia Beach United Methodist Church pleaded not guilty to two counts of unlawful creation of videos and pictures of a minor, says Macie Allen, spokeswoman for the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
However, Dillon Jacobs, 20, also conceded that the evidence would be sufficient in finding him guilty.
On April 6, 2017, a boy told the church’s assistant administrator, Randy Gillian, that he found a black and white Samsung Galaxy cellphone under the men’s urinal, according to documents filed in Virginia Beach Circuit Court.
The boy told a Virginia Beach Police detective he found the cellphone at a time when meetings were happening at the church and people were in the building, according to court papers.
Senior Pastor Mark Miller said while the church restroom is one that is used by all ages, the phone was found at a time when there were many children in the building.
Two days after it was reported, Jacobs came to reclaim his phone from police. He told authorities he accidentally left it and a jacket in the bathroom while he was working, according to court documents.
Miller said Jacobs was a part-time desk worker at the church — Jacobs was fired immediately after the incident was reported.
“We have very strict policies about conduct and behavior,” Miller said.
Two similar charges were dismissed against Jacobs because of insufficient evidence, Allen said.
The court date for the presentence report is set on Sept, 11.
