FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. – Leaders at Heritage Community Church addressed their congregation Sunday morning for the first time since the arrest of a longtime church volunteer accused of secretly recording girls inside a church bathroom.
Church leaders told members they are cooperating with investigators and focusing on supporting anyone who may have been affected as the investigation continues.
“Our greatest concern today is the individuals and families that may have been impacted,” Lead Pastor Sidney Brock told the congregation. “These are very serious allegations.”
The comments came two days after the arrest of Charles “Bart” Lucas, a longtime member of the church who served as a volunteer overseer.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began after suspicious files were discovered on a work computer that had been taken in for repairs at RoMac Building Supply. Detectives said the investigation led them to additional material stored in a cloud account, including videos showing girls changing clothes and footage recorded inside a bathroom.
Investigators said some of the recordings were linked to a hidden camera placed inside a church bathroom and a room where girls changed clothes following baptism services.
Lucas was arrested Friday and faces five charges related to secretly recording people without their knowledge, including one charge involving a girl younger than 16.
Before Sunday services, News 6 spoke exclusively with Administrative Pastor Melvin Davison, who said church leaders learned of Lucas’ arrest Friday evening.
“We’re being fully cooperative and our congregation, our staff, we’re just kind of heartbroken right now over everything that’s going on,” Davison said.
Davison said Lucas had been part of the church since it was founded in 2008 and served as a volunteer overseer.
When asked what he would say to church members searching for answers, Davison said the church remains committed to its congregation.
“Anybody that’s been part of the Heritage Church community for any time knows our hearts, knows that we love them,” Davison said. “We will do anything and everything, especially to protect the next generation.”
Investigators said they are still working to identify possible victims. According to the arrest report, some of the material recovered dates back years.
When asked what message he would have for anyone who may have been affected, Davison said, “That we love them. We’re praying for them. We’re here for them.”
During Sunday’s service, Brock acknowledged the pain the allegations have caused within the church community.
“Our heart is broken over what’s taking place,” Brock said. “What’s taking place goes against everything that we believe.”
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active and additional charges could be filed as detectives continue working to identify potential victims.