A former youth pastor in South Carolina was arrested and charged on accusations that he videotaped at least six different women and girls (some as young as 14) while they showered.
Daniel Kellan Mayfield, 35, is being charged with five counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of voyeurism.
Authorities stated that the incidents dated back to July 2022 and occurred in the bathroom at Gowensville Baptist Church in Landrum, South Carolina.
The church said in a statement, “Late last month we were made aware of an incident of moral misconduct perpetrated by one of our staff members. Mr. Mayfield has been fired from his position of youth pastor.”
“You would never think someone you know – that’s like a family, because that’s what our church is, it’s like a family – you would never think something so devastating would happen in that little circle of people,” church member Isabella Godfry said.
Authorities said that Mayfield did admit to filming one woman in the shower from outside of her mother’s house.
Mayfield was confronted by the woman and her sister, who then called police. The woman told police, “I was taking a shower and noticed a light outside the window. When I looked outside, I saw him standing alone in my mother’s backyard.”
Investigators then searched Mayfield’s phone and allegedly discovered the former pastor had filmed at least five other young women at the church, including children. Police allege Mayfield recorded video in the church’s bathroom on at least three occasions.
“I’m concerned about my wife and my daughters being on that camera,” Benjamin Green, a member of the church said.
A parent of one of the alleged victims spoke during Mayfield’s appearance in front of a magistrate court judge, telling the judge, “The families entrusted Mayfield with our children.”
“He took advantage of them in a vulnerable situation,” the parent alleged. “And this is not just a one-time deal. It seems to be going on much longer. We don’t feel like he needs to be released for any reason.”
