Local pastor arrested, accused of predatory behavior

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Tawana Brown was shocked to learn the pastor at the church right by her house off Linden Avenue, Apostolic House of Deliverance, has been charged with child exploitation, seduction, and pornography.

"Oh, my goodness cause I have kids," Brown said. "I have kids, so that's kind of crazy, especially in our neighborhood, it feels weird to have somebody this close."

His name is Geoffrey Carter, and he now sits behind bars after his Nov. 18 arrest.  

This comes after a 17-year-old and their mother reported Carter to Mishawaka Police Nov. 3, with Carter's own phone in hand.  

According to the probable cause affidavit (PCA) for Carter's arrest, the 17-year-old was staying at Carter's house overnight on Halloween and woke up in the middle of the night to Carter standing over them, masturbating, touching the victim, and recording a video.  

The victim knew the passcode to Carter's phone, opened it and found photos in the "hidden folder" of his camera roll.  

More videos and pictures of the victim naked, taken without their knowledge or consent.

Mishawaka Police issued a search warrant and found a fake smoke detector in Carter's apartment with a hidden camera inside.  

In a Nov. 18 police interview before his arrest, Carter admitted everything the victim alleged, according to the PCA. Police believe he is a danger to the community and are asking he be detained until a bail hearing. 

"I think they're not as uncommon as probably parents would wish them to be," said Melanie Sakoda, survivor support director of the Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). 

SNAP is a resource for those abused in religious institutions.

"Churches are particularly inviting to child sex predators because people have their guard down," Sakoda said.

There is concern there could be more than just the one victim who came forward.

"I would say there's almost always more than you know about," she said.

Sakoda said it's a reminder for parents to double-check who their children spend time with, but she also has a message for other abuse victims.

"There are people who will believe them and support them, so don't keep this a secret," she said.

Carter lost his affiliation with Musical Arts Indiana, where he was director of the children's choir. He's also no longer employed at the University of Notre Dame, where he was a recruitment coordinator.

Carter's next court date is Dec. 2.

If you or a loved one has suffered from any kind of sexual abuse, help is out there.

To learn more about SNAP and how to report sexual abuse to your Attorney General, Visit. 

For more resources for sexual violence victims, Click Here. 

The National Sexual Assault Hotline is free and 24/7, call 800-656-HOPE.