A district president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod was arrested last week after police found hidden cameras and videos of three minors.
Michael William Mohr, 54, of Springfield, Illinois, was charged in a Missouri federal court on Jan. 28 with one count of producing child pornography. Police also said he masturbated next to a sleeping boy in a hotel room.
Mohr is president of the Central Illinois District of the LCMS. He was a board member for the LCMS-connected Concordia Seminary but was suspended due to the charge, the suburban St. Louis seminary stated last week.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, a boy reported to Vandalia, Illinois police that he awoke in a hotel room to see Mohr standing over him, masturbating. The boy then found a hidden camera disguised as an electronic device charger in the hotel bathroom, federal authorities stated.
Police searched Mohr’s house in Springfield and found videos of three youth filmed in a bathroom. Police also found hidden cameras disguised as a wall clock and a Bluetooth speaker in Mohr’s second residence in Vandalia, 70 miles southeast of Springfield.
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Mohr was charged in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri with the production of child sex abuse materials. If convicted, Mohr would serve 15 years to 30 years in prison.
John Schleiffarth, Mohr’s attorney, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mohr will be held in custody until his trial, the U.S. Attorney’s office reported. Federal officials didn’t disclose Mohr’s location, citing safety concerns.
The LCMS responded with shock at the news.
“In fact, it’s devastating,” wrote Matthew Harrison, LCMS president. “Jesus have mercy upon us!”
Mohr has worked as district president since 2022, overseeing 148 congregations in 50 central Illinois counties. His second term began last year. Mohr’s misconduct will be subjected to the LCMS’ ecclesiastical procedures, Harrison stated.
“If these allegations prove true, they are an unfathomable betrayal of the responsibility and trust placed in the servants of the church by Christ and His people,” wrote Harrison. “This has no place in the church.”
Harrison said LCMS will cooperate with authorities. Meanwhile, Michael Burdick, LCMS’s first vice president, will cover Mohr’s duties.
“Our Lord has strong words for all who would lead His little ones to stumble (Matt. 18:6),” Harrison stated. “I commend those who, in any circumstance, courageously shed light on these crimes and sins.”
Concordia Seminary, where Mohr served on the board since 2024, also condemned Mohr’s alleged misconduct in a statement on its website.
“(W)e are expected to lead lives that are consistent with the Holy Scriptures, love and protect our neighbor, and bring honor to the Lord who has redeemed us,” Concordia stated.
Since 1998, Mohr has pastored at LCMS churches in Vandalia and Strasburg, Illinois.
Rebecca Hopkins is a journalist based in Colorado.
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2 Responses
Are these his kids he filmed? Why would he be in a hotel room with a kid that wasn’t his? Why would he have video of kids recorded with cameras in his house?
These children who have been sexually exploited by Michael Mohr have had their lives ripped apart. They will require a great deal of professional care to reestablish their sense of safety and well-being. The LCMS and the Central Illinois District has encouraged families who have suffered to contact their congregation for “pastoral care” knowing full well that their pastor would never tell them sue the Central Illinois District, Districts can and have destroyed a pastor’s career. If anyone in your family has suffered from Michael Mohr, contact the Blake Horwitz Law Firm 216 Jefferson St. Ste# 101. Blake is a tough Chicago lawyer who has litigated clergy abuse cases with excellent results. Have a question and needs answers? call Sergio at the Blake Horwitz Law Firm at 773-799-7937. For the record, I do not work for Blake and will make no money.