(EDITOR’S NOTE — Baptist Press will report every instance of sexual abuse related to Southern Baptist churches, entities, institutions or leaders of which they are made aware.)

ROSWELL, Ga. (BP) — An employee of Dunwoody Baptist Church was arrested April 24 after detectives executed a search warrant at his home that turned up child sex abuse material.

Ralph Britt, Jr., 59, reportedly worked closely with children and youth in various capacities for more than 20 years, WSB in Atlanta reported. Britt was booked in the Fulton County Jail on nine counts of sexual exploitation of children, with more charges expected.

“We are shocked and devastated,” said Executive Pastor Allen Taliaferro, who also said Britt was most recently involved in a drama production and was part of several ministries at the church. “This is someone we have known for decades.”

Several electronic devices of Britt’s were also taken by police for processing. The investigation began Feb. 10 with detectives looking into child sexual abuse material possibly transmitted through peer-to-peer file-sharing networks.

Church leaders maintain that they did “regular, rigorous background checks on Britt,” according to WSB. Roswell police acknowledged that the church is cooperating in the investigation.

Pastor Allen Jackson said there is no evidence the crimes took place on church grounds, and “no parent has brought any suspicious memories, either.”

The Roswell Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective Heath at 770-640-4512 or via email. Tipsters can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477 or sending a tip online.

If you are/have been a victim of sexual abuse or suspect sexual abuse by a pastor, staff member or member of a Southern Baptist church or entity, please reach out for help at 202-864-5578 or [email protected]. All calls are confidential.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Scott Barkley is national correspondent for Baptist Press.)