A former pastor from Round Rock, Texas has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing child pornography. David Lloyd Walther, a 57-year-old resident of Georgetown, was found guilty and sentenced to 70 months in prison and 10 years of probation. Walther was a trusted leader in the community, serving as the pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Round Rock at the time of his arrest.
Investigators discovered two computer hard drives containing over 100,000 photographs and 5,000 films depicting child sexual assault during a search of Walther's home and car in November 2022. Court records revealed that Walther actively participated in illegal activities involving child pornography, including searching for, downloading, sharing, and possessing such material. Disturbingly, some of the materials in his possession featured young people in their puberty.
The case was particularly unsettling due to Walther's position of trust within the community. The FBI, along with local law enforcement agencies including the Round Rock Police Department, the Collin County Sheriff's Office, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office, and the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center, worked together to investigate the case. Special Agent in Charge for the FBI San Antonio Division, Oliver E. Rich, Jr., emphasized their commitment to protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
In addition to the prison sentence and probation, Walther has been ordered to pay $61,000 in restitution. The sentencing serves as a clear message to child predators that law enforcement will not tolerate such crimes and will continue to work tirelessly to bring them to justice. The community of Round Rock, along with the families who placed their trust in Walther, can now begin to heal from the betrayal of their former pastor.