Columbia: A 44-year-old Pelzer pastor is charged with 11 child sex crimes.
Greenville Police arrested John David Helmuth Tuesday in an internet predator sting. He faces 10 charges of criminal solicitation of a minor and one count of attempted criminal sexual conduct with a minor. If convicted, Helmut faces 10 years in prison on each count of solicitation and 20 years on the criminal sexual conduct charge.
According to arrest warrants, the incidents began on June 23 when Helmuth solicited sex on the internet from a person he thought was a 13-year-old girl. The girl was an undercover Greenville Police officer. Investigators allege Helmuth tried to meet the girl for sex in Greenville, where he was arrested.
Police seized two computers from Helmuth’s residence and church office.
Helmuth is currently in the Greenville County Detention Center on $100,000 bond.
Source: WMBF News