Fort Worth Episcopal associate rector Rev. Jason Myers was arrested for online solicitation of a minor last week and booked into Collin County Jail.
The Trinity Episcopal Church released a statement on April 13, which it sent to the parishioners.
“I have difficult news to share with you. On Thursday, the Rev. Jason Myers, our associate rector, was arrested by the Collin County sheriff on a charge of online solicitation of a minor, which is a felony charge involving attempted sexual contact with a person younger than age 17. I learned this news yesterday afternoon when I received a phone call from an investigator in the sheriff’s office,” Rev. Dr. Robert F. Pace said.
According to the letter, Bishop Andy Doyle suspended Myers’ ministry under the Title IV clergy disciplinary canons of the Episcopal Church and he is therefore not allowed to work as an Episcopal priest while an investigation is underway.
Pace wrote that church leaders do not believe anyone affiliated with the congregation or its associated school has been harmed, adding that they do not have all the facts and there are many questions yet to be answered. The church is fully cooperating with law enforcement.
“I know that this situation comes as a shock. Please know that I am available to talk with you pastorally and pray with you about this or any related situation. If you have information about this matter that you would like to share, I encourage you to be in touch with the Rev. Canon Lisa Burns at 512-609-1876 or [email protected],” Pace wrote.
This story is currently developing and will be updated as more information comes in.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the metroplex has a sex trafficking problem, according to the Sheperd’s Watch Foundation, which found that there are more than 400 escort websites servicing the Dallas area.
The Dallas crime analytics dashboard shows that 14 criminal cases of possession of obscene material and 22 cases of human trafficking have been reported in the city this year as of April 14.
The Dallas Police Department has been understaffed for years, which has hindered its ability to fight crime. Only around 3,000 officers are fielded, even though a City analysis recommended that the department should have around 4,000 officers on the force. Despite this, the Dallas City Council approved a budget of only $654 million for DPD this fiscal year, significantly less than the spending on law enforcement seen in other high-crime municipalities, such as Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles.
