The Black Collar Crime Series relies on public news stories and publicly available information for its content. If any incorrect information is found, please contact Bruce Gerencser. Nothing in this post should be construed as an accusation of guilt. Those accused of crimes are innocent until proven guilty.
Chaz Chinsethagid, a youth pastor at an unnamed church, was recently sentenced to fourteen years in prison on child pornography charges.
A former Bixby youth pastor is headed to prison for trying to coerce a minor to meet up for sex.
According to federal documents, Chaz Chinsethagid admitted to going to an online chat room and messaging who he thought was a 14-year-old girl; the account was run by an undercover officer.
Documents say Chinsethagid asked the girl to send pictures, asked for her to call him, and offered to drive to meet up with her.
Investigators say he also admitted to having child porn on his phone.
Chinsethagid pleaded guilty to Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor and Possession of Child Pornography.
A federal judge sentenced Chinsethagid to 14 years in prison for the crimes.
He will have to register as a sex offender after he’s released.
The U.S. Attorney’s office reports:
A former youth pastor was sentenced today for Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor and Possession of Child Pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge John F. Heil, III, sentenced Chaz Chinsethagid, 34, of Jenks, to serve 168 months imprisonment, followed by lifetime supervised release. Upon his release, Chinsethagid will also be required to register as a sex offender.
According to court documents, from December 2023 through March 2024, Chinsethagid knowingly entered an online chat room. He engaged in several conversations and initiated a conversation with someone he believed to be 14 years old. Chinsethagid spoke with the 14-year-old about school and quickly turned the conversation sexual. He then attempted to entice the 14-year-old to participate in a video call or provide sexually explicit photos.
Chinsethagid further admitted to possessing explicit videos and images of children, some under 12 years old, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Chinsethagid will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Robert prosecuted the case.
Bruce Gerencser, 68, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 47 years. He and his wife have six grown children and sixteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.
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