CENTRALIA — A 39-year-old Centralia minister was reportedly arrested Wednesday on child pornography charges.
According to Calumet Street Christian Church, their Worship Minister Ian Maphet was arrested Wednesday night. The church says after hearing evidence from the Illinois State Police, Maphet was terminated from his position in the church.
His arrest was the result of an investigation launched when Jefferson County Sheriff’s Detective Bobby Wallace received a tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children’s Task Force of child pornography activity in Centralia.
The investigation led to a search warrant being secured for and executed for Maphet’s electronic devices. As the investigation is ongoing, additional charges are possible.
Maphet was taken to the Marion County Jail where he remains a detention hearing in the case. He was formally charged Thursday in Marion County Court with two Class X felonies for reproduction of child pornography and two Class 2 felonies for possession of child pornography. Marion County Resident Judge Mark Stedelin recused himself from the case Thursday afternoon.
In response to the information, the Church is holding a prayer at 6:30 on Thursday night.