The co-creator of the popular “Thank You Jesus” Yard Sign, which raises funds for Christian groups, is being charged with child sex offences.
Lucas Hunt, 25, from Asheboro, North Carolina, was arrested and charged Tuesday for one count of a second sexual abuse of a minor. Jail records from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office.
Hunt is allegedly received an explicit video of the two minor girls, sheriff's deputies said on his arrest warrant.
Hunt, who created a popular sign when he was a teenager, was arrested following an online tip from the National Center for missing and exploited children, prison records show.
The Invictus Task Force official — the Cross County Initiative to Investigate Internet Crimes against Children — began investigating the incident last month before identifying Hunt as a suspect.
He was taken into custody at Randolph County Detention Center on $75,000 safe bonds and appeared in Randolph County District Court on Wednesday, according to the Sheriff's Office.
When he appeared at his first court, Hunt told the judge that he understood the charges and planned to hire an attorney, CBS 17 Report. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 19th.
Hunt gained fame in 2016 after he began selling yellow garden signs with childlike scribbles of the words “Thanks to Jesus.” News & Observers.
All proceeds from the sale go to the local Christian organization.
In 2014, Hunt began holding a sign in his hometown of Asheboro that reads “Jesus is the reason for the season.” The following year I became a camp counselor for a group of 12 children.
“I read the Bible and led them throughout the week. I watched them grow,” Hunt said. ” He told Seven Lake Insider April 2017.
Around Easter 2016, he shortened the signs and simply read, “Thanks to Jesus.”
More than 250,000 signs are available for sale starting at $10, along with car magnets, garden flags and bracelets. According to the Movement website.
Hunt's name has since been removed from the ministry's website and their board of directors meet soon to discuss his future. I told Fox8.
“I am grateful that Jesus is always on multiple people. It is about people who love him and want to show their gratitude. I cannot comment on the criminal charges against Lucas Hunt, but I can share that he has blessed thousands of people through the sign of thanks to Jesus,” Fraser told the outlet.
