Former pastor sentenced to more than five years in prison for having thousands of images of child exploitation

A former pastor was sentenced to more than five years in prison for receiving material involving the sexual exploitation of children, said Acting U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon.

Gerald B. Searle, 51, of Liberty Center, had thousands of images involving child pornography and exploitation on his computer between 2013 and 2015, according to court documents

The investigating agency in this case is the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Tracey Tangeman.