A Mississippi man who volunteered for his church’s media ministry is now facing two charges of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse images after federal officials found 9,900 sexual images of children on his personal computer, according to The Sun Herald in Biloxi.
Screengrab from Facebook / Via ChurchLeaders
A judge denied the man bail and had him immediately jailed, saying he was a flight risk and a potential danger to the safety of the community. Meanwhile, a church leader and family members maintain his innocence.
Cameron “Cam” Cotrill, 66, of Vancleave used his computer expertise to volunteer at Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
The district judge handling the case denied Cotrill bail, as he awaits trial in January. The judge cited substantial evidence against Cotrill, his potential threat to the community, his significant wealth, and his many ties to people outside the U.S.
Officials say Cotrill used his sophisticated computer skills to hide the child sexual abuse images from his wife. His LinkedIn profile says he holds two patents for developments in file storage and information networks.
But his church continues to defend Cotrill.
Peter Meakins, a pastor who leads the church’s J.O.Y. ministry to older adults, has known Cotrill since last year. Meakins sent a character letter to the judge before sentencing and recently prayed with Cotrill in front of the congregation, according to ChurchLeaders.
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“His appearance has always been beyond reproach, and he has a very optimistic attitude about life,” wrote Meakins. “In his Christian walk, I believe you would find him solid in his beliefs. He is a man of integrity and good leadership skills, which are virtues we need today.”
The church’s website does not address Cotrill’s arrest.
Meanwhile, family members claim Cotrill was “wrongfully arrested” and is “undeniably innocent.”
His daughter blamed the child porn files on “research” in a fundraising appeal on GoFundMe. The appeal was later deactivated for violating platform policies.
“It was in the process of research that his system was targeted by malware and then flagged by government agencies,” she said. “And he is absolutely undeniably innocent of the charges levied against him.”
If convicted of both federal charges, Cotrill could spend up to 40 years in prison