MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A now-suspended pastor and teacher from Olive Branch, Mississippi, is out of jail on bond after being arrested for child exploitation, according to a statement from Cedar View Baptist Church.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department said it arrested Kyle Hilleary, 30, on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, and he was released on $250,000 bond. The sheriff’s department said the state Attorney General’s office is handling the investigation with assistance from DCSD and Olive Branch Police.
Cross Creek Christian Academy confirmed in a statement to ABC24 that Hilleary was a teacher at the school and was immediately fired from his position after they learned of the arrest. The school said it was not aware of any allegations against Hilleary involving actions while on campus or as a teacher at the school. His bio has been removed from the school's website.
Hilleary’s LinkedIn page says he is a Pastor in Residence at Cedar View Baptist Church in Olive Branch. It appears the church removed his profile from its website.
The church posted a statement to its website, saying Hilleary was arrested on a charge of exploitation of a child Tuesday morning and has been suspended indefinitely. The church said it will “comply with authorities to the fullest extent,” but so far, they have not been contacted by investigators or have had contact with Hilleary.