Children’s pastor arrested in child porn case

A children’s pastor at Evangel Christian Center is to appear before a U.S. magistrate judge on Friday on charges of receipt and possession of images on his computer showing children engaged in sexual activity.

Derek M. Schwartzrock, 34, was investigated by New Mexico State Police and Homeland Security Investigations and arrested Wednesday at his apartment at 5800 Osuna Road NE.

The criminal complaint charges that the activities took place between Dec. 31, 2011 and April 3, 2013.

HSI investigators in Philadelphia tracking a suspect website traced it to Schwartzrock and found 700 pictures on his Facebook page of children police believe to be between 5 and 12 years old. Most are of prepubescent boys.

The State Police on-line predator unit obtained a state search warrant for Schwartzrock’s apartment March 25 and executed it Wednesday, taking computer media, smart phone and digital camera, among other items.

Pick up a copy of tomorrow’s paper for a complete report.