A former pastor was arrested for allegedly taking upskirt videos of women at his church. But the arrest earlier this month was not his first indiscretion.
Rick Trotter, who was a pastor at two churches, was initially fired from Fellowship Memphis in 2010 for sexual misconduct. Church members allege Trotter filmed them in the bathroom.
“When confronted, Trotter did not deny the charges and was thereby terminated,” according to a statement.
Fellowship Memphis is pastored by John Bryson, who was part of Mark Driscoll’s Acts 29 network.
“The individuals victimized, all adults, by this incident were notified of Trotter’s misconduct, made aware that he had been terminated, and asked whether they wanted to press charges. The victims were also offered independent professional counseling paid for by the church. It is our understanding that none of the victims at that time chose to press charges,” the statement continues.
Trotter was later hired by Downtown Church after he gave permission for both churches to discuss his voyeuristic background. He was employed there until May when multiple women reportedly told leadership he took upskirt videos while they knelt at the altar.
Downtown Church fired him. He was also fired from his PA announcer position for the Memphis Grizzlies.
“Let us first say we are here for the victims. Trotter’s actions are contrary to our values, and we are deeply sorry for the suffering of the victims,” Bryson and Downtown Church Pastor Richard Rieves say in a joint statement.
Trotter has been released on $70,000 bond and is expected in court next month.
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