safety
Nashville church leader charged with aggravated child sexual exploitation, police ask for more info
By Chasity Maynard at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 8, 2026
· 2 min read
Editor’s note: This story contains descriptions of child sexual abuse. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A leader at a Nashville church is one of two men arrested Tuesday by Metro Nashville Police after investigators allegedly found they shared videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. In the first ...
Key takeaway In the first case, 34-year-old Jason Douglas Ford is charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor after detectives conducted a seven-month investigation, per a police press release.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The arrest of a Nashville church leader on charges of aggravated child sexual exploitation raises concerns about the safety of children in local faith communities. As the investigation into Jason Douglas Ford continues, parents and congregation members may be wondering how to protect their children from potential predators. The fact that Ford was a facilities coordinator at Midtown Fellowship, a position that may have brought him into contact with children, underscores the need for rigorous background checks and child safety protocols in all Nashville churches and organizations that serve youth. The Metro Nashville Police Department's request for information about Ford's interactions with children suggests that they are taking a proactive approach to identifying potential victims and preventing further harm. As the community waits to hear from Midtown Fellowship about Ford's employment status, it is crucial that all local organizations prioritize transparency and cooperation with law enforcement to ensure the safety and well-being of Nashville's children.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Editor’s note: This story contains descriptions of child sexual abuse. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A leader at a Nashville church is one of two men arrested Tuesday by Metro Nashville Police after investigators allegedly found they shared videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. In the first ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Chasity Maynard at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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