Things are getting wacky in Texas, I tell you...

A Plano minister near Dallas, TX, was caught in a sex sting involving a 13-year-old girl. The minister of a Plano Baptist megachurch was charged with online solicitation of a minor.

Undercover officers posing as a 13-year-old girl communicated with Joe Barron, 52, of Plano for about two weeks. The online conversations were sexual in nature, police said.

On May 6, Barron suggested meeting the girl in person. He eventually made the nearly 200-mile drive to Bryan, Texas, on Thursday, when he was arrested. Police said they found a Web-cam and condoms in his car.

Barron was released Friday night from the Brazos County Jail on bond.

Barron is one of 40 ministers at Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the largest churches in the country with 26,000 members. He ministers to married adults.

Mike Buster, executive pastor, said in a statement that the church had no record or knowledge of previous improprieties or saw any inappropriate behavior in the 18 months Barron was on the church staff.

Buster said church officials are fully cooperating with police.

"We are disturbed and saddened by the reports we have heard and we are praying for the Barron family," he said.

At least the church officials are correct about one thing.. they are disturbed!

Thanks Ronda!

[source: CNN]

1 comments

  1. April Loraine // May 19, 2008 at 8:46 PM  

    Years ago, Joe Barren was the pastor of my church. He was a wonderful pastor, with a real passion for the lord. I was shocked when i was told what he did. I greive for this man, but I also believe he should recieve jail time for the crime he commited.