Jason Yates, the former CEO of My Faith Votes, pleaded guilty to charges of possession of child pornography, also known as child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), in Minnesota last week.
Jason Yates / Video screenshot
In November 2024, Yates was charged with eight counts, each carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. However, he pleaded guilty to only two of the charges, with the other six being dropped, according to the Christian Post.
The guilty plea form that Yates signed states, “I now make no claim that I am innocent. That in view of all above facts and considerations I wish to enter a plea of guilty.”
Yates is scheduled to appear on September 29 for sentencing. Until then, he was released on his own recognizance with terms that include keeping the court apprised of his home address, avoiding contact with females under the age of 14, appearing at all scheduled court dates, installing software on his electronic devices that blocks access to pornographic material, and agreeing not to possess or use pornographic material.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension began its investigation into Yates’ alleged crimes on July 31, 2024, after unnamed “Witness #1” provided the bureau with a hard drive containing over 100 images of sexually explicit images of children. Witness #1 was given the drive by a relative of Yates — “Witness #2” — after he or she discovered it in Yates’ office.
Witness #2 told law enforcement that he or she found an internal component hard drive in a dresser in Yates’ office. When Witness #2 put the hard drive into his/her computer, he/she discovered the sexually explicit images. Not knowing what to do, Witness #2 put the hard drive back in a drawer in the dresser then later contacted Witness #1. Witness #2 clarified that no one else in the house uses Yates’ computer.
The probable cause statement also includes descriptions of eight of the images, which allegedly include children between 5 and 7 years of age.
In September, officers met with Yates, and he confirmed the images did not belong to Witness #2. Yates also admitted to having a prior conviction for child pornography that had been expunged.
According to its website, “My Faith Votes is a non-partisan movement that motivates, equips and activates Christians in America to vote in every election, transforming our communities and influencing our nation with biblical truth.”
Both Dr. Ben Carson and Ambassador Mike Huckabee have served as honorary national chairmen for the group.
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