BUENA VISTA - A man who was once studying to be a youth pastor is now facing time in federal prison after pleading guilty to two child pornography charges earlier this week, federal authorities said Friday.
Christopher Collins, 32, of Buena Vista, entered guilty pleas on Wednesday in the United States District Court in Lynchburg to charges of possession of child pornography and attempting to send obscene material to a minor under the age of 16.
Collins entered the guilty pleas with no plea deal in place, federal authorities said.
Collins’ online activity started in November of 2016 when an undercover police officer posing as a 13-year-old girl was contacted in a chat room by a user posing as “NavyGuy4Yng," later identified as Collins, a press release said.
During his chats with the undercover officer, Collins sent pictures of his genitalia and a video of a man masturbating. He claimed to be a youth pastor in Virginia, although authorities said he was still studying to become one.
In February of 2017, investigators with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the Virginia Attorney General, served a federal search warrant at Collins’ Rockbridge County home.
Investigators seized digital devices and interviewed Collins. During questioning, Collins made various admissions, including that he liked to role play with juvenile girls on Kik Messenger and other online forums. Collins said he communicated with girls who claimed they were between 13 and 15, and said he sent them nude videos and photographs of himself.
Investigators also found child pornography on digital devices seized from Collins’ residence, according to the press release.
“Children are exploited each and every time these images are shared online, and those who engage in this abhorrent activity will be held accountable," said U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen.