The case of Chad Michael Rider, a resident of Anna, Texas, has brought to light the dark reality of child exploitation and abuse. This article delves into the details of his criminal activities, legal proceedings, and the ultimate sentencing that followed.
In July, 48-year-old Chad Michael Rider, of Anna, was convicted in the Eastern District of Texas for assisting former Denison pastor David Pettigrew produce child pornography. According to documents and testimony at the trial, Rider helped Pettigrew convince minors into taking sexually explicit photographs. He was found guilty of three counts of the sexual exploitation of children.
Friday morning, at the Sherman Federal Courthouse, former Denison youth leader and Anna Chiropractor Chad Michael Rider was sentenced to 720 months in federal prison. District Judge Amos Mazzant gave Rider a total of 60 years for sexually exploiting children and producing child pornography, stacking two 30 year sentences on three charges.
Chad Michael Rider, 49, of Anna, Texas, was found guilty by a jury on July 22, 2022, of three counts of sexual exploitation of children, also referred to as the production of child pornography.
Both Rider, 48 and co-conspirator former pastor David Pettigrew, 49 were arrested in August of 2020 by Department of Homeland Security Agents.
Read also: The Life of Chad Everett Harris
According to the court documents and testimony at trial, in August 2022, Homeland Security Investigations agents were investigating David Pettigrew, of Denison, for child pornography offenses. Agents seized a computer hard drive from Pettigrew’s office at the Denison Church of the Nazarene. A forensic review of the device revealed videos of Pettigrew and Rider setting up to film children while bathing at the church.
Agents executed a search warrant at Rider’s residence on August 21, 2020.
In August of 2021, Pettigrew pleaded guilty and was given 30 years for two counts of sexually exploiting children.
A jury found Rider guilty of the same charges after a five day trial last summer.
According to court documents filed last week, Denison pastor David Pettigrew and Collin County chiropractor Chad Michael Rider were both indicted on child pornography charges in federal court.
Read also: "Married to Evil": Chad Graves
Rider is a licensed chiropractor in Allen.
Pettigrew was the pastor at Denison church of the Nazarene, served as a substitute teacher at Sherman ISD and was a board member of a foster parent association.
Court documents say since May 2016 the pair conspired to persuade minors into taking sexually explicit pictures to be shared or sent to other places.
Rider is in US Marshall custody. Pettigrew was arrested by the Department of Homeland Security agents earlier this month.
Less than a week after his arrest, Grayson County announced an additional investigation into Pettigrew for child sex crimes.
Read also: Vallow-Daybell Trial: Key Evidence
A hotline has now been set up dedicated to Pettigrew’s case for victims to come forward, and parents of kids who may have come into contact with him are being asked to talk with their kids.
Abigail Hill with the Grayson County Children’s Advocacy Center said there are some signs of abuse to look for.
“If you see a major change in personality that’s a huge warning sign, but also if your kids are really avoidant about talking to someone specific, going to someone specific, or going to a specific place those could all be warning signs,” Hill said.
Hill said this is an opportunity for parents to keep an on-going conversation with kids about body safety and boundaries.
“Really the most important thing is knowing that it can be anyone and more than 90 percent of the time it is someone that kids know and trust,” Hill said.
The sheriff’s office has set up a hotline for Pettigrew’s case at 903-813-5280.
Agents seized Pettigrew’s computer at the Denison Church of the Nazarene, which revealed footage of the two setting up to film minors who were bathing at the church. Additional videos showed Rider alone filming two different children in residential settings. The prosecutor says one account was in the child’s home. And the other was at Rider’s home, which according to the attorney, Rider had guardianship of this minor, she sat in court Friday but declined to read her testimony.
After two and half hours and hearing attorneys from both sides, Judge Mazzant gave Rider the maximum sentence of 60 years.
Mazzant became emotional as he read the sentencing but said this decision will protect the public as Rider showed no remorse. The judge went on to say that Rider’s family and friends are living in denial.
Seven minors fell victim to Rider. He also faces fines greater than 100-thousand dollars.
“This defendant and his cohort routinely preyed on the innocence of several children that looked to him for guidance as members of his church. He had no concern for the life-altering harm his devious actions would cause those he victimized,” said Lester R. Hayes Jr., Special Agent in Charge HSI Dallas. “Unfortunately, no amount of prison time can restore their innocence but rest assured, this community is safer with this sexual deviant behind bars.”
Attorney Brit Featherston. “He used his trusted roles as a church leader, care giver to at-risk teens, and as a trusted member of his community to plant secret recording devices in bathrooms and other places where children would be disrobed. This shocking breach of trust was committed by an individual who had falsely sewn a firm belief of good character of himself in so many parents in his community. This case stands as a stark reminder of our common duty as citizens to watch out for the most vulnerable among us. I appreciate the members of law enforcement, community members, and especially the victims who had the courage to stand up and stop Rider before he could victimize others.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
It is important to note that an indictment or arrest should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The following table summarizes the key details of the case:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendants | Chad Michael Rider, David Pettigrew |
| Charges | Sexual exploitation of children, production of child pornography |
| Verdict (Rider) | Guilty on three counts of sexual exploitation of children |
| Sentence (Rider) | 60 years in federal prison |
| Co-conspirator | David Pettigrew, pleaded guilty, sentenced to 30 years |
| Investigation | Homeland Security Investigations |
| Project | Project Safe Childhood |
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and community involvement in protecting children from exploitation and abuse.
The Birthday Party: Child Sexual Abuse Happens in Your Community | Saprea
Popular articles:
tags: #Chad
