FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. \u2013 Leaders at Heritage Community Church addressed their congregation Sunday morning for the first time since the arrest of a longtime church volunteer accused of secretly recording girls inside a church bathroom.<\/p>\n
Church leaders told members they are cooperating with investigators and focusing on supporting anyone who may have been affected as the investigation continues.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur greatest concern today is the individuals and families that may have been impacted,\u201d Lead Pastor Sidney Brock told the congregation. \u201cThese are very serious allegations.\u201d<\/p>\n
The comments came two days after the arrest of Charles \u201cBart\u201d Lucas, a longtime member of the church who served as a volunteer overseer.<\/p>\n
According to the Lake County Sheriff\u2019s Office, the investigation began after suspicious files were discovered on a work computer that had been taken in for repairs at RoMac Building Supply. Detectives said the investigation led them to additional material stored in a cloud account, including videos showing girls changing clothes and footage recorded inside a bathroom.<\/p>\n
Investigators said some of the recordings were linked to a hidden camera placed inside a church bathroom and a room where girls changed clothes following baptism services.<\/p>\n
Lucas was arrested Friday and faces five charges related to secretly recording people without their knowledge, including one charge involving a girl younger than 16.<\/p>\n
Before Sunday services, News 6 spoke exclusively with Administrative Pastor Melvin Davison, who said church leaders learned of Lucas\u2019 arrest Friday evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re being fully cooperative and our congregation, our staff, we\u2019re just kind of heartbroken right now over everything that\u2019s going on,\u201d Davison said.<\/p>\n
Davison said Lucas had been part of the church since it was founded in 2008 and served as a volunteer overseer.<\/p>\n
When asked what he would say to church members searching for answers, Davison said the church remains committed to its congregation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnybody that\u2019s been part of the Heritage Church community for any time knows our hearts, knows that we love them,\u201d Davison said. \u201cWe will do anything and everything, especially to protect the next generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Investigators said they are still working to identify possible victims. According to the arrest report, some of the material recovered dates back years.<\/p>\n
When asked what message he would have for anyone who may have been affected, Davison said, \u201cThat we love them. We\u2019re praying for them. We\u2019re here for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
During Sunday\u2019s service, Brock acknowledged the pain the allegations have caused within the church community.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur heart is broken over what\u2019s taking place,\u201d Brock said. \u201cWhat\u2019s taking place goes against everything that we believe.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Lake County Sheriff\u2019s Office said the investigation remains active and additional charges could be filed as detectives continue working to identify potential victims.<\/p>\n
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