Former Pastor faces child porn charges

A former Lutheran pastor charged with 20 counts of possession of child pornography, as well as two counts of videotaping non-consenting adults, has been released on $100,000 conditional bond following a July 19 hearing. Gregory Briehl—who, until this spring, was an associate pastor at the Peace Lutheran Church as well as counselor at First Stone Counseling Center—turned himself into Albemarle authorities July 18 after they issued a warrant for his arrest.
    At Briehl’s bond hearing in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Detective Chuck Marshall detailed much of the evidence. The child-pornography possession charges stem from 100 images of children found on Briehl’s computer, according to Marshall. The children all appeared to be between 12 and 17 years of age, he said. Marshall also claims that investigators have evidence of videotaping involving children, including footage shot at the Lutheran Church that “focuses on private parts.” Additional charges are expected, says Lieutenant John Teixeira of the Albemarle Police Department in a press release.
    Briehl also has two misdemeanor charges for videotaping that have been filed in Albemarle General District Court. Prosecutors claim that Briehl, 52, placed secret cameras around his home—including in the bathroom—and filmed guests without their knowledge.
    Several friends and family attended the hearing to vouch for Briehl. Among them was Tom Leland, a senior minister at University Baptist Church who is helping to secure Briehl’s bond. Leland said he has made over 20 referrals to Briehl’s counseling service.
    “He was a great counselor,” said Leland during the hearing. He testified that many of those he referred to Briehl later commented that the pastor’s counsel had saved their marriages and even, in some cases, their lives.
    Briehl’s own family life has rapidly deteriorated since this spring, however, when he left the Peace Lutheran Church, reportedly following an affair with a woman in his congregation. Since then, he has been living with Dan and Sylvia Guengerich, who have agreed to continue housing Briehl until his trial is complete. While out on bail, Briehl isn’t allowed contact with a computer, or anyone under the age of 18—including his three children, all boys, who range in age from 6 to 10 years old.