Former Houston Pastor Arrested for Online Solicitation of a Minor
A former Houston-area Baptist pastor was among nine men arrested late last month in an online chat sting operation conducted by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children division.
Lawrence “Clay” Hopkins, 55, was arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor. Hopkins was an associate pastor at Rollingbrook Fellowship Church in Baytown at the time of the arrest.
The County arrested the men on various child exploitation charges after gathering evidence during the sting.
“We know the internet can be a dangerous place for children. The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office are committed to making it legally perilous for adults intent on harming them,” said Special Victims Division Chief Shanna Redwine. “We ask parents and caregivers to assist us in this effort by closely monitoring and talking to children about online risks, of which there are many.”
Police said Hopkins also worked as a youth pastor in the past in Midlothian and College Station, Texas, and said that given the nature of his offense and his potential access to children through his employment, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office is encouraging anyone with information concerning other potential victims to contact authorities.
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In a statement issued to local TV station KBTX, First Baptist Church College Station confirmed that Hopkins had worked there from 2016 to 2020 and said the church was “saddened over the news regarding the arrest of Dr. Clay Hopkins and the allegations against him.”
“We are committed to honoring and protecting those who are made in God’s image and for whom Christ died,” the statement continued. “We also remain committed to a God who loves, heals, and forgives, and we are asking the Lord to bring healing to all who are involved in this situation.”
