Caleb Roberts, who served at Victory Church, was arrested by the Tampa Police Department on an out-of-county warrant on Wednesday.
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — The son of former pastors in Palatka was arrested on Wednesday after police say he traveled across the state to meet a minor for sex.
On April 21, the YouTube channel Operation 17:2 uploaded a video where they confronted 26-year-old Caleb Steven Roberts with alleged messages suggesting that he wanted to meet a minor for sex. Caleb is the son of former pastor Steve and Angie Roberts of Victory Church.
In the video, deputies with the Palakta Police Department and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, where Roberts was seen being placed in the back of a patrol car.
The Palatka Police Department later said that Roberts was not arrested at the scene due to a lack of completed investigative steps.
The Palatka PD says that while Operation 17:2’s actions led to a call for service, they were not acting in partnership with police and that “the information they provided could not be accepted at face value and required an independent criminal investigation.”
On April 27, Victory Church announced that both Steve and Angie would be stepping down from their roles, citing “recent circumstances that have brought deep sorrow to many within the church and community.”
In their statement, the church also stated there is “no place in the body of Christ for sexual misconduct or the abuse of trust in any form.”
Caleb Roberts was previously seen in photos leading services at the church.
After receiving the case, Palatka PD says that investigators began their own investigation into Roberts, which led to an arrest warrant being issued on June 9.
Roberts was located and arrested in Hillsborough County by the Tampa Police Department on June 24. He is charged with traveling to meet a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, transmission of harmful material to a minor by electronic device and soliciting a child, or a person believed to be a child, for unlawful sexual conduct using a computer service or electronic device
“The Palatka Police Department remains committed to conducting thorough, professional, and legally sound investigations,” the agency says. “While public concern in cases involving crimes against children is understandable, our responsibility is to ensure every case is built on independently verified evidence that can be successfully prosecuted in court.”