TOWN OF ONEIDA (NBC 26) — A church pastor has been charged for multiple counts of child pornography possession and possession of meth.
The Sheriff's Office said they conducted a search warrant at the Oneida United Methodist Church in the town of Oneida after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The warrant was carried out in conjunction with members of the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, the sheriff's office said.
A search was also carried out at a nearby residence in which the church pastor lives regarding an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation.
The Sheriff's Office identified the suspect as 48-year-old Rick Haberland, who authorities said serves as the Pastor for Oneida United Methodist Church. The Sheriff's Office said Haberland has been arrested and booked into the Outagamie County Jail on multiple counts of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Possession of Methamphetamine.
In a criminal complaint filed Friday, Haberland faces 13 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of possession of meth.
According to statements in the criminal complaint, a digital forensic examiner estimated that there were about 150 videos depicting child sexual abuse on Haberland’s phone. The complaint also said authorities found 1.2 grams of methamphetamine in Haberland’s bedroom closet.
The criminal complaint also said Haberland admitted to setting up Zoom meetings for the display of child pornography. When interviewed by authorities, Haberland denied having sexual contact with children.
Additionally, the criminal complaint indicates Haberland gave conflicting statements to investigators about using drugs.
The Sheriff's Office said Haberland served as the Pastor of New Hope United Methodist Church in De Pere; Suring and Hickory United Methodist Churches in Suring; Phillips United Methodist Church in Phillips and Tabor United Methodist Church in Eden.
Those with information regarding this investigation may contact Sergeant Mike Fitzpatrick at the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office at 920-832-5279 or Mike.Fitzpatrick@Outagamie.org.
