NEWS 8 EXCLUSIVE

A Royse City church pastor is at the center of a child pornography probe that led to a police raid of his home and church Wednesday.

More than 100 members of the First United Methodist Church in Royse City were shocked to hear that Steve Richardson, who has been their pastor for the last two years, was arrested in connection to a child pornography probe.

"If you would have heard the groans and the crying that went on when this was announced, I mean, it's just shocking for the whole church," said Kat Elliott, a church member.

Members said Richardson was taken away from the church in handcuffs by Immigration Customs Enforcement agents. The agents seized computers and other items from both the church and the pastor's home.

"I've never seen anything since I've known Steve that would even hint anything like this," said Richard Davis, another church member.

ICE confirmed Richardson's arrest, but did not reveal any specific allegations against the pastor.

"It was devastating [and] heartbreaking, just that we are going through something," said Cathy Partridge, a church member. "Whether it's true or whether it's not true, we will pull together."

The church has suspended Richardson.

E-mail ccivale@wfaa.com