A former pastor at a church in Konawa has been arrested twice within the last two weeks for alleged sex crimes, both involving a minor.

James McMillan, who now resides in Cleveland County, was arrested Nov. 26 on two counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under 16. He was arrested again Dec. 9 on one count of solicitation of obscene pictures to a minor.

The latest arrest, made by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) Human Trafficking Unit, stems from accusations that he sent a fully nude picture of himself to a 14-year-old Kansas girl in March 2023. The victim reportedly told her father about the incident, who in turn told an OBN officer about it in October.

According to court records, bond was initially set at $250,000 in the November arrest, but he was released after posting $50,000. Bond in the latest arrest was set at $450,000.

McMillan reportedly worked at First Baptist Church in Konawa several years ago and left under “strange circumstances.” He was also employed at a church in Slaughterville, which is about 40 miles northwest of Konawa. The dates of his employment with both churches are unknown.

In an unrelated case, a Holdenville school teacher was arrested earlier this month on child pornography charges.

According to the Holdenville News, 34-year-old Cody Richison, an agriculture teacher for the local school district, was arrested Dec. 4 following a tip that was sent to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Holdenville Public Schools released the following statement regarding “On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, a staff member of the Holdenville Public Schools was detained by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in connection with a federal investigation. The staff member is not at Holdenville Schools today and will not return to school during the investigation being conducted by law enforcement and pending action by the district. The district was informed by the FBI that the investigation does not involve any students from the Holdenville Public Schools. This will continue to be an ongoing investigation by the FBI and local agencies with the district’s full cooperation.”

Richison reportedly received an estimated 100 photos and videos of child porn starting around January 2020 until about March 2024. He has been charged with receipt and distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography in Indian Country.

If you’re aware of the sending, use, or viewing of child pornography online, call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678 or go online to their CyberTipline. They’ll make sure the info is forwarded to law enforcement officials for investigation. Contact your local law enforcement agency or the FBI if your child has received child pornography via the Internet.