Stephanie Scurlock

12:39 p.m. CDT, April 3, 2011

FAST FACTS:

• DeSoto County preacher arrested for child porn
• Preacher takes leave of absence from church
• Arrested at his Hernando home Friday

(DeSoto Co., MS 04/03/2011) - A DeSoto county pastor faces a child pornography charge. The Southern Baptist preacher was arrested Friday evening.

A DeSoto County sheriff's car and police tape separated our News Channel 3 camera from members of Oak Grove Baptist heading to church this Sunday. Hernando police arrested their pastor, 63 year old Eddie Prince, at his home Friday on one count of possession of child pornography.

"The pastor has been placed on a leave of absence from the church at this time," said Bob Wright, church leader.

Wright added, "The congregation of Oak Grove Baptist Church is saddened by this incident. As a church we're coming together to support our pastor, his family, and each other with Christian love and prayers."

Wright and his wife, both retired chiefs of the Memphis Police Department, have attended the church since they moved to DeSoto County. Wright says he doesn't know details about the incident.

He said, "I have no comment on that. I'm not privileged to the investigative information in the case. Obviously we live in a nation where a person is innocent until proven guilty."

Wright says Oak Grove started 159 years ago. The church leases space during the week to a daycare. He describes Oak Grove as a small country church with about 150 active members. He said they are struggling to come to grips with the arrest of their beloved pastor.

"We're saddened, dismayed. You have to know the person. It's just like any church. That would be hit in a situation like this. It's a troubling situation. As a body we're asking for people's prayers and understanding and we'll get through this," said Wright.

Prince's bond was set at $60,000.