The GBI arrested and charged Benjamin Dalton Houser, age 24, of Glennville, GA, with Sexual Child Exploitation on Friday, April 26, 2024. On March 29, 2024, the Candler County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to investigate allegations that a youth pastor at Cedar Street Baptist Church in Metter, Georgia was sending inappropriate text messages to members of his youth group.
The investigation shows Houser sent texts to two minors under his supervision at the church. The messages were consistent with grooming tactics.
Houser is currently booked at the Candler County Jail.
This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Candler County Sheriff’s Office at 912-685-2568 or the GBI regional investigative office in Statesboro at 912-871-1121. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to Middle Judicial Circuit for prosecution.
