Families struggle for answers after youth pastor commits suicide during child porn investigation

Jacksonville families are struggling for answers after the youth pastor they trusted with their children committed suicide while under investigation for child pornography.

Action News Jax first reported on Wednesday that Allan Richardson was also a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office veteran of nearly 20 years.

“I hope and pray that there are no children left behind that are victims,” said one Jacksonville man, who’s struggling to cope because Richardson ministered to five children in his family at Riverstone Community Church.

He’s asked Action News Jax not to identify him to protect his family.

He said the hardest part has been “the black eye for the church, the black eye for the agency he worked for, and just the black eyes for Christians.”

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said investigators found two images of child porn on Richardson’s church computer.

The warrant reveals investigators seized several electronics from Richardson’s St. Johns County home on Feb. 6.

The warrant said Richardson told detectives, "If I was going to watch child pornography, I wouldn't be stupid enough to upload it or download it."

Richardson reportedly committed suicide Tuesday in Clay County.

A St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said investigators still plan to complete their investigation of Richardson.

Until then, at least one man doesn’t plan to tell the five children in his family who were ministered to by Richardson what happened.

“It’s just way too soon. Until all the facts come out, maybe it’s just something they don’t need to know,” he said.

Riverstone Community Church Pastor Ricky Baldwin said there will be a grief counselor at the church on Sunday.

Cox Media Group