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Ex-minister may now face federal porn charges
By Edith Brady-Lunny
eblunny@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON -- A Bloomington minister and substitute teacher charged with abusing four underage boys may be headed to federal court on pornography charges.

Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Brooks said Tuesday morning that the U.S Attorney’s office is looking into allegations that James Love possessed child pornography on a computer seized from his home.

Love, 37, faces four counts of aggravated battery and four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He is accused of sedating and sexually abusing four teenage boys at his Bloomington home. Initial charges involving one boy were filed in early May and additional counts came a week later after police interviewed other boys who had attended an overnight stay at Love’s home.

Brooks said a federal grand jury is expected to meet and consider charges against Love.

After Tuesday’s hearing, Brooks said multiple computers were seized from Love’s home after his arrest in May and police are continuing their detailed search of the contents of the computers.

“One, so far one, has turned up pornographic images,” said Brooks.

The prosecutor told Judge Kevin Fitzgerald that the computer images will not be turned over to defense attorney Steve Skelton unless a court orders her to do so. She said the state’s attorney’s office considers the material to be contraband. Brooks likened the photos to cocaine seized in a drug case, evidence she said the defense would not be allowed to hold during the case.

Defense attorney Steve Skelton said he will file a motion demanding access to the computer images.

“We are asking for all exhibits that could be used as a trial,” said Skelton.

If convicted in the McLean County case, Love could face 14 years in prison and an additional 15 years if convicted on federal pornography charges.

Love was a minister at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church. He was a substitute teacher in local schools before his arrest.

Love posted bond after the first counts were filed but has been held in lieu of $40,000 since the additional counts were brought to court.

A Sept. 4 hearing is scheduled to hear the defense motions on the computer evidence.

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Reader comments on this story - 36 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Who is perfect? wrote on Aug 25, 2007 8:21 PM:

" All of us are not perfect. To blame an entire church because one person MAY be guilty of something is ridiculous. (no, I do not attend Mount Pisgah) Only Jesus is perfect and he can forgive us all of our sins. I pray for James and the children involved. I do not know who is telling the truth. I pray for them ALL regardless. IF James is guilty, he should be punished. But this life time is just a short period compared to eternal life. What is more important is that he, if he is guilty, repents before going before God on judgement day. Eternity is a long time. "

Don't forget wrote on Aug 25, 2007 8:20 PM:

" Don't forget that James is innocent until proven guilty. If any of you ever have charges brought against you I am sure you would want the same benefit. NOTHING has been proven. I was at the court and the U.S. attorney has not even seen the evidence yet. It was said that they "MAY' indict James for it. Computers and what gets on them are very tricky things. Especially if you buy them second handed or have poor protection against viruses. The evidence that is in the prosecutors hands is not linked to James until it is brought to trial and proven. "

to !!! wrote on Aug 22, 2007 8:44 PM:

" How do you know that the State's Attorney didn't get a look at his computer from SF? Do you work there and know for a fact that they didn't? Most large companies like SF, Country Cos. will surrender computers to legal authority if there is a chance that there may be anything on them to aid in the investigation. I also know that many large companies like SF, Country Cos. have things such as porn sites blocked, in fact these companies block a lot of things so that the employees don't spend most of their work day reading the internet instead of working, makes sense to me! "

there are no sinners in the church wrote on Aug 22, 2007 5:25 PM:

" for the person who made the comment that they will no longer go to Mount Pisgah because someone is being accused of molesting children is totally absurd. EVERY church has convicted felons, child molesters rapists, should I go on? You should go to church for the obvious reason, to praise the lord, not critisize the whole church. I love Mt. Pisgah and reverend McSwain he is a wonderful pastor and and what one person is being accused of has NOT effected his congregation. So I guess you are the only non-sinner who attends a church full of non- sinners! "

windycity2 wrote on Aug 22, 2007 4:50 PM:

" To: Mentoring Yes His church buddies are still behind him. You need not ever visit Mt. Pisgah church in the future if you do not wish to, the choice is yours. I am sure that whatever church you attend now or do decide to attend in the future has members, from the pastors on down that have done something wrong and have made some mistakes at one time or another in their lifetime. We are not perfect, working to become better. Perhaps you are that lone perfect individual that has no sin? "

Mentoring wrote on Aug 22, 2007 4:35 PM:

" Mr Love was popular for mentoring young teen boys, he wanted to work with one of mine, but it didn't happen, I don't let my kids run off with everyone that comes along. I am watching to see how this turns out, but it don't look good for him. Are his church buddies still behind him I wonder? Maybe when he gets through with all this they can make him a Youth Pastor, I don't think I want to go to Mt Pisgah Church. Forgive is ok, but don't forgive and FORGET. "

Death wrote on Aug 22, 2007 4:10 PM:

" How long is long enough for someone that molests our children? I was sexually assaulted several times when I was growing up in the 50s and 60s and I am dead inside, always have been. Having someone who is in authority over me, and is suppose to be taking care of me do those things to me, my sentence was death. I have never amounted to anything and I never will, I have no trust, no self asteem, I don't know how to love or show feelings. I always blamed myself because no one believed me, they believed him, he was an adult and respected, I was just a boy. That is why I think this crime against the innocents of the world needs to be punishable by death to the perpertrator too. "

CC wrote on Aug 22, 2007 1:51 PM:

" What dirty little deeds were done in the darkness God is allowing to be exposed in the light. God is cleaning up his church. May be in prison this minister will repent. "

TO NOT ENOUGH wrote on Aug 22, 2007 1:22 PM:

" I agree, he took advantage of these boys, their parents, and even the church that attended, not to mention the places that he was allowed to work, this only enabled him to become acquainted and have access to those boys that he molested,50 yrs would not be enough, taking into consideration of what those young men have lost. "

not enough too wrote on Aug 22, 2007 12:35 PM:

" I strongly agree with not enough. My nephew molested, was convicted and got over 50yrs from McLean county. Why the coddling of this creep? This are class X felonies of multiple victims, he should get over 50 yrs too, at least!!!!!! "

re: question to poker wrote on Aug 22, 2007 12:14 PM:

" You may very well be right, I can only tell you that Mrs. Brooks holds eveidence out until she has to release it. She makes you think she has something and then it is nothing. Again if I bet on this, she has nothing. "

question to poker wrote on Aug 22, 2007 11:45 AM:

" If there is nothing there, why would the FBI want to be involved with it? "

Re: poker wrote on Aug 22, 2007 11:24 AM:

" From what I have seen, I agree. "

To Why: wrote on Aug 22, 2007 11:12 AM:

" Get over it, that's just how it goes. Look at Amanda Hamm - there was three years of intensive media coverage and she ended up only being convicted of a lesser charge. And the prosecutor isn't the one that makes this stuff public, it's the media. They went to the court, the court did not go to them. Besides, this monster doesn't deserve a fair anything so quit your whining and stop feeling sorry for this guy. This creep used the fact that he is a minister to get these boys and their parents to trust him, which is absolutely despicable. He stole something from those boys that they will never get back. He deserves NO sympathy. "

To Keep it quiet wrote on Aug 22, 2007 10:43 AM:

" You're right. This is nothing to take lightly. These are serious allegations and the public needs to be informed of the various aspects of the case as they become public. Thank you Pantagraph staff for serviing the public in this way. "

Yay wrote on Aug 22, 2007 10:08 AM:

" I love superduper moral Christians! "

Keep it Quiet wrote on Aug 22, 2007 9:01 AM:

" I don't understand why you people want to ignore this, I would think you would want to be kept imformed, his guilt or innocence has to do with your children DIRECTLY. I have two boys that were close to Mr. Love, I want to know! I could never be on the jury, I have already made up my mind, but IF he is found guilty, he needs a big punishment because of how accessible he was and in many positions of trust. And IF he is found innocent, ok. "

To Chelly wrote on Aug 22, 2007 6:28 AM:

" Enough about how your computer "accidentally" picked up porn! Wow, me thinks thou doeth protest too much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

poker wrote on Aug 22, 2007 5:58 AM:

" She does not have anything. Michelle Brooks is playing a hand with nothing. That is what she does, she trys to make it seem as if she has something and tries not to release it. Then when she has to it was nothing. If I had to bet, when the pictures are released they are nothing! Call the bluff, she has nothing. "

Facts wrote on Aug 22, 2007 5:40 AM:

" The pantagraph wont allow too many facts, so let me just say: Sexual abuse isn't more prevelant these days, it is just reported more and taken to court more. In the old days, parents didn't even believe us. "

How come?? wrote on Aug 22, 2007 4:45 AM:

" this article should of been pushed down further on the page, oops, sorry, the Pantagraph has a name to slide through the mud. Once again if it's an important message it's hidden way down or not printed but if it's someone's name it's in big letters. Way to go Pantagraph, once again you have proved what is important and what is not. We already know about this man so why keep posting it in such a way to make certain that EVERYONE sees it. "

I'm pretty sure wrote on Aug 21, 2007 10:50 PM:

" That, in general, the defense is entitled to review any evidence being brought by the prosecution. While I wouldn't want my child's picture being shared, I also would stand up for the rights of the accused to defend themselves properly. "

to "why" wrote on Aug 21, 2007 10:45 PM:

" The prosecutor is not making this information public, the media is. All of the prosecutors comments were made in open court. Open court means reporters can be there. When reporters are there, there is a chance they may report the arguments they hear the attorneys making. When reporters report, the public becomes aware of what is happening in a case. "

Skelton wrote on Aug 21, 2007 9:24 PM:

" wants to see the images? Hmmm....maybe he should be the one being prosecuted. "

Why wrote on Aug 21, 2007 4:46 PM:

" Is the prosecutor making this information publc? She is ruining his chance of a fair trial in McLean County. I want James (yes, I know him) to have a fair trial. If he's convicted, then he should serve time. But I'm afraid the prosecutor may hurt the case by blabbing to the media. "

Chelly wrote on Aug 21, 2007 3:33 PM:

" I will play devils advocate here who is to say since it was only on 1 computer that the images arent there as a result of some malware/adware/spyware. I ended up with a ton of porn cleaned off of an old computer due to malware/spyware. "

to "to I wonder" wrote on Aug 21, 2007 3:29 PM:

" And would you want to be tried based on evidence that your attorney didn't get to see? "

to I wonder wrote on Aug 21, 2007 2:54 PM:

" because it is that many more people seeing these children in compromising positions. It revictimizes them. would you want YOUR child's picture being passed around a courtroom, moved back and forth between the L&J and the lawyers office, given to paralegals, etc.? "

to wrote on Aug 21, 2007 2:52 PM:

" i am pretty sure SF has that type of item blocked as most companies do. he might have been able to download from a camera but that feature may be blocked on a work computer. if emailed, they can usually find the info. might take awhile. "

!!! wrote on Aug 21, 2007 2:39 PM:

" the states attorney should have got his computer at SF also. by now i am sure that they have cleaned or gotton rid of it so they could not be brought into the case. "

I wonder wrote on Aug 21, 2007 2:38 PM:

" why the prosecution has a problem with handing over the evidence after they are done with it? Sounds like they have a pretty good case, beings as there are now 4 victims in this case, so why not share this evidence? "

Not Enough wrote on Aug 21, 2007 2:16 PM:

" The amount of time he should get if found guilty is LIFE. He was in a position of authority as a minister, a teacher and a football coach. To take that kind of advantage of the little innocents that you are suppose to be nurturing if abhorable. And by life I AM talking about capital punishment. "

Probably won't get wrote on Aug 21, 2007 1:39 PM:

" in trouble cause he's "a member of the church". "

Don't bother the animals wrote on Aug 21, 2007 1:31 PM:

" Ha! These charges are nothing to laugh at, but a McClean county prosecutor asking one of these circuit judges to set judicial precedent (i.e. the pictures are contraband) is a lark. These judges don't go to the bathroom without 20 years of tested precedent to protect them from controversy (or tough decisions). Hang'em or release'em is the rule of thumb here. "

Lady wrote on Aug 21, 2007 1:22 PM:

" Didn't Mr. Love work at State Farm also? "

Employer wrote on Aug 21, 2007 1:15 PM:

" So Love was employed as a minister and substitute teacher? Or was he employed by some other place in town? "
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