LIVINGSTON, Texas – A Livingston youth pastor and youth coach is behind bars, charged with possession of child pornography and sexual assault of a child.
A traffic stop in Georgia led investigators to 46 year-old David Shannon's Polk County home on Wednesday. Investigators said the driver of the car in Georgia had child pornography, including a thumb drive with a video of a man sexually assaulting a boy.
Detectives said they traced the thumb drive back to Shannon and confirmed that he was the man in the video. Shannon's wife identified the victim in the video as the son of family friends.
"We want any potential child victim or their parents to know who to contact," said Joe Martin, Polk County's first assistant district attorney. "Anyone with information should contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office."
The D.A.'s office said this plea is because of Shannon's involvement with youth. He was active with the Polk County Youth Football and Baseball Leagues, in which his two sons played.
Parents and team leaders met at Pedigo Park on Thursday to talk about the charges against Shannon. They agreed that the kids love Shannon, who is also a youth pastor at his church. Parents said he frequently visited Livingston Intermediate Junior High School and High School to have lunch with students.
"There's an ongoing investigation," said Martin. "We have spoken to a number of potential victims, and there are some being interviewed right now."
Shannon is in jail on $50,000 bond. The D.A.'s office said any new allegations or outcries will be presented to the grand jury.
A background check revealed Shannon has no prior criminal history. Records show that he has lived in Livingston for the past five years. He previously lived in Kansas, Arkansas, Florida, and Dallas.
If you have any information about Shannon, or if you would like to speak with detectives, contact the Polk County Sheriff's Department.