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Muskegon County church leader arrested on felony possession of child sexually abusive material charges

The man is a Deacon at a Norton Shores church and a Sunday school teacher. He also volunteered with Kids Hope at Churchill Elementary School.

MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich — The FBI worked with Muskegon County investigators to arrest a Muskegon County church leader for allegedly possessing child pornography this week. 

The Muskegon County Prosecutor is urging parents to talk to their children who may have been around him and to call the police if they have any concerns. 

The Muskegon County Justice for Women Task Force and the FBI West Michigan Child Exploitation Taskforce executed a search warrant at his home and arrested Daniel Byron DeVries on Thursday. 

DeVries, 49, of Fruitport Township, is facing six felony counts of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material and three counts of using a computer to commit a crime. 

Muskegon Prosecutor DJ Hilson said DeVries held various roles in which he had contact with youth in the community. 

DeVries was a Deacon at Unity Reformed Church in Norton Shores. He also volunteered at an organization called Kids Hope Network which runs a program at Churchill Elementary School. 

The Superintendent of Mona Shores Public Schools, Bill O'Brien, said DeVries mentored one student at the school this school year. 

O'Brien said DeVries never left the main office unsupervised. He also said DeVries did have a background check completed through Mona Shores Public Schools and New Hope prior to his involvement in the program. 

O'Brien said the program took place in the conference room in the main office with the door open at all times or directly across from the main office in the art room, which is all windows. 

He said office staff were present in the main office while DeVries was with the student. 

Upon the news of DeVries' arrest, Mona Shores Public Schools terminated the mentoring program with Kids Hope. 

"It is disturbing, disappointing and scary when someone violates the trust of the school and community," O'Brien said. "While his role was minimal at Churchill it is incredibly frustrating that someone charged with such crimes has been in our school. As parents, educators, and community members, keeping our kids safe is always the most important thing we do."

Hilson said anyone who had contact with DeVries and has information related to the case should call the police immediately. 

"It's very devastating to know that an individual who has, who allegedly I should say, has these tendencies was in a position or positions to have access to minor children," Hilson said. "We're asking those who may have had contact with him if, in fact, there's a suspicion that maybe something more than just an image was taken, or maybe they're, you know, there's whether or not there are other victims out there that may have been exposed to this man, we'd ask them to call either 911 or the Norton shores Police Department."

Authorities do not believe the explicit images seized are not of local children, but that still remains under investigation. 

"We are just learning about these things and trying to process it all," Unity Reformed Church Pastor David Celeskey said when asked to comment. 

13 ON YOUR SIDE Reached out to Kids Hope Network for comment. 

If you have any additional information related to this case to share with investigators, you can call Detective Kyle Neher at 231-733-2691. 

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