(WXYZ) — A pastor at 2|42 Community Church in Brighton was arrested for allegedly placing a hidden camera inside a bathroom at the church.
According to church leadership, a staff member discovered the hidden camera inside the unisex bathroom in the backstage area of the Brighton campus. Officials say the bathroom is for church staff and volunteers.
Will Johnson was arraigned Sunday in the 53rd District Court on charges of surveilling an unclothed person, destruction of evidence, and use of a computer to commit a crime.
Johnson was given a $250,000 cash bond.
"It’s been unimaginable and my heart absolutely breaks. Our hearts break for the victims, our community, anyone that wants to just take a next step with Jesus," said Executive Pastor Eric Rauch. "It’s devastating. We dedicate our lives to impacting our community in a positive way and caring for people and to have someone from the inside betray that to such a degree and level is… it’s hard to find the words."
Church leadership say the man, who was a worship pastor director, confessed to church leadership that he placed the camera in the bathroom.
Officials notified the Livingston County Sheriff's Office and church leadership say he was arrested immediately and terminated on Sept. 13.
"We had a bad apple and I believe God plucked him out of our midst for a reason and it’s really hard to know that that is true," said Rauch. "I do believe God can redeem this and our community can move forward even stronger because of it."
Peter Sorensen who began worshiping at 2|42 about six months ago says he was shocked to hear the news. He says the church has made him feel like family and even credits it for his sobriety.
"My heart really dropped. You always hear about this happening to other people or places and I was just in shock. I know that’s kind of cliché but it’s a different flood of emotions: betrayed, you feel hurt, disappointed, angry," said Sorensen.
Sorensen says given the tough circumstances, he was very happy to see how church leadership responded and how transparent they have been with members.
"It’s always going to be in the back of my mind, but that’s going to be for anywhere, going to school, church, hospital. I don’t blame 2|42 for this. I really feel like it could have happened to anybody," said Sorensen.
In an email to church members over the weekend, officials said that the sheriff's office doesn't have indication that cameras were placed elsewhere.
Also, they said church leadership searched the facilities and will continue to search them, along with hiring a third-party professional to search for more cameras.
The Livingston County Sheriff's Office says all known victims have been notified. However anyone who believes they may have been victimized is asked to reach out to the sheriff's office.
The incident is still under investigation.
