- January 13, 2025
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Updated 3:05 p.m. Jan. 7
A former Ormond Beach pastor and former local university professor was arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 6 by Daytona Beach Police on child pornography charges after a two-month investigation.
DBPD reported that 73-year-old John Robert Griffin II, a former elder at Riverbend Community Church in Ormond Beach and former associate professor of air traffic management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, was found to be in possession of 251 child pornography photos. DBPD officers with the agency's advanced technology and cyber crimes unit were first notified about Griffin having and sharing child pornography through various phone apps in October 2020, according to a press release.
Officers executed a search warrant the morning of Jan. 6, finding sexually explicit photos of children on various computers and phones.
Riverbend's administration said in an email to the Observer that Griffin was a non-staff, non-vocational elder of the church, but was relieved of all his duties when the church discovered the allegations.
DBPD stated it plans to charge Griffin with at least 30 felony counts of child pornography possession.
Editor's Note: The Observer was informed on Jan. 7 that Griffin is no longer an employee of Embry-Riddle. The story has been changed to reflect that. It has also been updated to reflect that Griffin is no longer an elder of Riverbend Church.
