The welcome home celebration for a Houston-area minister convicted in an online child sex sting was canceled ahead of his possible parole release.
Former pastor Jeremiah Busby has been granted parole, according to records, and is anticipated to be released. Supporters organized a welcome-home celebration at Set Free Church on Uvalde Road on July 4. The celebration was advertised on social media with custom flyers. However, the church has canceled the event and refunded the rental payment to Busby’s supporters.
In an announcement post on Instagram, church officials said the church has no past or present affiliation with Busby and was unaware of Busby’s criminal past when the gathering was scheduled by a third party. The church also announced it would be placing an enhanced vetting process on its third-party booking system. Following his conviction, Busby must register as a sexual offender, and the church claimed that the presence of minors in its congregation posed safety issues.
“The well-being of our congregation, students, and staff is and always will be our highest priority,” the statement reads. “We are fully committed to protecting, the sacred place we share every week.”
The event was organized by Randy San Miguel, who met Busby while they were both incarcerated. San Miguel, who was released from prison after serving a sentence for auto theft, currently works in prison outreach and is adamant about giving released prisoners a second chance.
“I’m an advocate for second chances because someone did it for me,” San Miguel told ABC 13.
Busby was a prison minister at the time of his arrest in 2015. According to investigators, Busby believed he was going to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex. Instead, he ran into law enforcement during an online child exploitation sting. Busby was found guilty of internet solicitation of a juvenile in 2017 and given a 25-year jail term.
Busby was previously incarcerated in Dallas County for murder and aggravated robbery in addition to his sentence for solicitation. Busby’s sentence for the online solicitation conviction includes a 14-year parole period if he is released on time. San Miguel argues Busby served his time, and asks how much more punishment is necessary if he was paroled.
“I don’t condone it. It’s a crime. He got sentenced for it. How far do you take it? How far do you beat a dead dog? He was paroled, and he met his requirements. How much more?” San Miguel said.