FBI Arrests Manteca Man Living On Church Property For Child Porn

MANTECA (CBS13) - A man has been arrested after the FBI says he downloaded child pornography from a home on church property.

Pastor Mark Williams of First Missionary Baptist Church in Manteca is not saying a lot about one of his parishioners who lives in a home on church property.

"I have no comment at this time," he said Monday. "Everything is fine."

But the FBI says it's not.

A 35-year-old active member of the church, Thomas Edward Aguero, is being accused of possessing and sharing extremely graphic pictures of young children engaged in sex acts.

"I don't know the intricacies of his personal life," Williams said

FBI agents have been tracking Aguero on his home computer, using federal agents as pedophile decoys since January.

Aguero and the church share the same backyard/ You can easily see a play structure behind both buildings and a sandbox right by Aguero's front door.

Why did the church allow him to live in this home and what was his role in the church?

"No comment," Williams said.

In the criminal complaint obtained by CBS13, the agent said in part that he found numerous framed photographs of children between the ages of 3 and 8 years old on his bedroom wall.

The complaint says Aguero admitted that he loves taking pictures of children.

"I haven't had a chance to talk to him," Williams said. "All I know is forgiveness comes from God."

The FBI says when he was arrested he confessed.

In statement he allegedly told the agent, "I have learned my lesson. I have too much to lose and I'm sorry I didn't stop sooner. I was stupid and got caught up in my sins."

Williams was asked if he thought any children in his congregation were exploited at all? "No, I don't think so," he said.

At this point it's unclear if the pictures found on the suspect's wall are actually victims, but the one thing we do know is he's facing numerous felony charges.

Aguero was booked and released from the Sacramento County Main Jail on Monday.