2 Pastors Made Child Porn, Exploiting Minors For Years: Philly DA

PHILADELPHIA — Two North Philadelphia pastors are facing charges after authorities say they conspired to create child pornography.

The clergymen facing charges are:

• Isaiah Banks, 30, former senior pastor at Second Pilgrim Baptist Church
• Bryan Jackson, 42, senior pastor at Garden of Prayer World Prayer Center

On April 8, Philadelphia Police began investigating a report of child sexual abuse involving Banks. The pastor coerced a minor through iMessages and social media to send him sexually explicit videos in exchange for money or food, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

A witness initially discovered the messages during a random check of the victim's phone. The witness then told a therapist — a mandated reporter who notified the Department of Human Services.

Further investigation revealed that Banks sent a sexually explicit image of the victim to Jackson in January, authorities said. Jackson tried to get similar images from the child, according to the DA's Office.

The pastors obtained similar material from multiple victims. Banks and Jackson have been in contact since February 2024, exchanging messages "littered" with photos and videos of nude minors and plans to solicit more, authorities said.

"While these defendants are not representative of the countless clergy members who serve with fidelity, these crimes are especially troubling given their access to young people," said District Attorney Larry Krasner. "The survivors deserve compassion, support and justice."

The suspects were charged and arrested this month. Banks's bail was set at $600,000, while Jackson's was set at $100,000. They have each posted bail and are out of custody as they await preliminary hearings.

They were each charged with two counts of the following:

• criminal conspiracy (second-degree felony)
• sexual abuse of children (second-degree felony)
• sexual exploitation of children (second-degree felony)
• corruption of minors (third-degree felony)
• unlawful contact with a minor (third-degree felony)
• criminal use of a communication facility (third-degree felony)

Banks's listed attorney didn't immediately return comment to Patch. An attorney contact for Jackson wasn't immediately available in online court records.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who believes they've been victimized can contact:

• the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Services Unit Direct Line at 215-686-5709 or email DA.VictimServices@phila.gov
• the Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence (WOAR) hotline at 215-985-3333
• or the Philadelphia Police Department's Special Victims Unit (SVU) at 215-685-3251