Professor, Pastor Enters Plea, Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison

Daytona Beach, FL – A former associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a pastor at Riverbend Community Church in Ormond Beach will be spending the next 20 years in a Florida state prison.  The State Attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit, R.J. Larizza, said that 74-year-old John Griffin entered a no-contest plea to 20 counts of possessing child pornography today (August 16). Professor, Pastor Arrested For Child Pornography Possession Griffin was originally charged with 30 counts but pleaded to 20 counts of possessing child pornography and was adjudicated guilty on all counts. He will be required to register as a sex offender if he is ever released from prison. He is also banned from contacting minors during his sentence. “The defendant – as a former pastor – was in a position of trust and authority while possessing photos of sexually exploited children. It is amazing how folks like the defendant can deceive people so completely. His arrest has exposed him, and his sentence has held him accountable for his sexually criminal behavior.” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said following the twenty-year sentence. Assistant State Attorney Sarah Thomas, of the State Attorney’s Career Criminal Unit, prosecuted the case. Circuit Judge Dennis Craig pronounced the sentence.