Texas Baptist church suspends music minister after FBI arrest on child-pornography charge

United States Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas announced that federal agents arrested Tharon Thomas Drake, 53, of Borger, on Sept. 30 on a criminal complaint charging receipt of child pornography. The Comanche Chief carried the U.S. Attorney’s announcement. ABC7 Amarillo reported that Drake had served as minister of worship arts and media at First Baptist Church of Borger since 2020.

According to the complaint, as summarized by the U.S. Attorney’s office and ABC7, investigators allege that from at least April 2024 Drake communicated online with people he believed to be minors and received sexually explicit files from two minors after they said they were under 18. An FBI undercover employee operated one of the accounts he messaged, court records say. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison. He is charged, not convicted.

First Baptist Church of Borger said it learned of the arrest the same day and immediately suspended Drake from all ministry responsibilities. Lead Pastor Jonathan McMeans, writing for the elders, said the church was “shocked, deeply saddened, and heartbroken,” was cooperating with law enforcement, and was taking steps to protect people in its care. The church removed Drake’s profile from its website. On Friday, Oct. 3, court records show, Drake waived his preliminary examination and detention hearing. U.S. Magistrate Judge Lee Ann Reno ordered him held without bond and bound the case over to a federal grand jury, ABC7 reported on Oct. 5. He may later seek release on conditions.