Rome, Pa. — A reverend from a church in North Rome is facing child pornography charges after a predator sting was conducted in Bradford County.
The 40-year-old man, who was arrested at the church on Thursday, allegedly admitted he has been viewing and masturbating to child pornography for years.
In total, six local men were charged in the county-wide sting, which was conducted by the Northeast Computer Crime Task Force.
The task force investigated 15 homes for internet-related crimes against children. The National Center Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) provided 24 cyber-tips that were investigated and closed out. Seven search warrants were executed this week, leading to six arrests:
- Brad Swink, 40, of Rome
- Robert Michel, 47, of Wysox
- Calvin Shaffer, 44, of Wyalusing
- Evan Hitchcock, 29, of Rome
- Brandon Lantz, 28, of Athens
- Robert Pillot, 50, of Canton
Police confront pastor in church
Swink has been a pastor at North Rome Wesleyan Church since 2018. He preached as recently as April 6, which was just four days before police confronted him at the church.
Swink’s personal Youtube channel features 187 uploaded videos, many of which depict young churchgoers playing and worshiping.
Swink, standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, preaches four days before his arrest.
In January 2023, NCMEC submitted a tip from Snapchat for suspected child pornography being shared on the social media site. The case surrounding the tip was assigned to Trooper Gabriel Paduck.
The minute-long video that Snapchat flagged to authorities depicted an adult man raping a child, according to Paduck.
NCMEC traced the IP address of the device used to upload the video to be linked to an email address beginning with “littlebillyboy8419.” Police then linked the email address to Swink’s residence.
On April 10, Paduck obtained a search warrant for Swink’s home, as well as his place of work. Paduck found the pastor at the church and interviewed him there.
Swink allegedly admitted to watching and masturbating to CSAM since 2022. He reportedly told police that CSAM could be found on a cell phone and computer in his home.
Swink also said he created Snapchat accounts using fake names to remain anonymous, Paduck reported.
On the phone, Paduck allegedly found videos of Swink masturbating to a naked child who was also performing sex acts. Swink produced the video by screenrecording it, Paduck said.
Social media accounts show Swink previously worked as an assistant pastor in Bethlehem at CrossPoint Wesleyan Church.
A portrait of Swink taken in 2018, shortly after he began preaching at the North Rome church.
A message left at North Rome Wesleyan Church was not returned, but by Friday, the church had taken down Swink’s photo from its website.
Swink was charged with three counts of child pornography, two counts of videotaping child sex acts, and one count of criminal use of a communication facility. He is being held in the Bradford County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail as he awaits his preliminary hearing scheduled for April 22.
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