This story has been updated
MILTON - As a child pornography case against a Sussex County pastor moves forward, the Delaware Department of Justice is asking the public for any relevant information.
Leonard Eley, 62, of Laurel, was arrested Aug. 30 and is facing one charge each of sexual solicitation of a minor and theft by false pretense, along with two counts of possession of child pornography.
The Department of Justice identified Mr. Eley as the pastor of Storm Shelter Ministries in Laurel and alleged that he solicited nude photos of a minor member of the church over the course of a year. He allegedly paid for the photos using stolen funds from Storm Shelter’s account, authorities said.
DOJ did not provide a timeline of alleged offenses beyond saying that the investigation began last summer. The crime is alleged to have happened in Milton, spokeswoman Caroline De Jose said.
Mr. Eley was indicted Nov. 28, and an arraignment is scheduled Jan. 6, 2023.
The pastor was free on bail as of Tuesday, the department said, and no plea had been entered. His $60,000 bail had been reduced to $30,000.
“The arraignment is scheduled in Sussex Superior Court, although there is always the possibility that the defendant enters a not-guilty plea in advance of the scheduled arraignment,” Ms. De Jose said. “It that occurs, the defendant would not need to appear for his arraignment date, and the case would proceed to case review.”
An attempt to reach Mr. Eley for comment Tuesday was unsuccessful.
In her request for assistance, Attorney General Kathy Jennings said “nothing matters more than protecting our kids.”
“I am grateful to the prosecutors and police who have led this investigation, who have ensured that the victim of this case is safe and who are working day and night to secure justice. We ask that any additional victims or witnesses with information come forward. We will be there to support you.”
Justice officials added that the call for information from the public was sought because “witnesses have indicated suspicion of the possibility of other victims or instances.”
While law enforcement has appealed to the public for information in other cases, the Department of Justice has not often been utilized.
But in this instance, authorities said, “the police believed our platform could help bring forward helpful information. Prosecutors have reason to believe that additional victims may be unidentified.”
The Department of Justice asked anyone who may have details about the Eley case to call Milton Police Department’s Detective Chris Whitehouse at 302-684-8547, ext. 103.
Deputy attorneys general Caroline Brittingham and Michael Cooksey of the DOJ’s Human Trafficking Unit secured the indictment, following an investigation led by Detective Whitehouse and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program.
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