According to the sheriff’s office, a youth pastor in South Carolina is now facing fresh charges for allegedly filming women using the restroom at a church.
Following information from the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, deputies with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office started their investigation on Tuesday, according to WHNS.
The 35-year-old youth pastor, Daniel Kellan Mayfield, reportedly acknowledged to filming a woman on May 27 while she was taking a shower, according to the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office. An incident report states that a woman informed deputies she noticed a light outside the bathroom window while taking a shower at her mother’s house. She claimed that when she went to look, she discovered Mayfield alone himself in the backyard.
Mayfield allegedly admitted to photographing the woman when deputies spoke with him. Voyeurism was alleged against him.
Deputies in Greenville County looked into the event after it happened and found that Mayfield reportedly recorded many girls in the restroom of the Gowensville Baptist Church in Landrum. Six victims have been named so far, and it is claimed that they are as young as 14.
Deputies claim that Mayfield set up and shot footage in the restroom at least three times beginning in July 2022. Sheriff’s deputies stated that they thought Mayfield acted alone and that they didn’t think anyone from the church was aware of his actions.
It was confirmed by First Baptist Gowensville that Mayfield held a position as a student pastor. On the day of his arrest, he was let go by the church, though.
On Thursday, the church issued the following statement regarding the incident:
“On May 27th, 2023, First Baptist Gowensville leadership was made aware of an incident of moral misconduct perpetrated by one of our staff members. Proper authorities were notified immediately and the employee was terminated from his role. Due to the nature of the investigation, FBC Gowensville refers all questions to the law enforcement authorities involved. We remain dedicated to providing a safe worship environment and will be ever vigilant in protecting all persons involved in any of our events.”
Deputies confirmed that Mayfield was taken into custody Thursday afternoon in Boiling Springs and charged with five counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of voyeurism.
Mayfield was denied bond during a hearing that night. The sheriff’s office said during the hearing that they believe more charges may be coming.