Religious Nonprofit Exec Charged in Child Porn Investigation

The executive director of a faith-based nonprofit has been charged with 12 felony counts of possessing child sex abuse material, including depictions of victims as young as six months old.

During the search warrant, officers spoke to Brooks’ wife, who claimed that she knew her husband looked at pornography, but said she didn't know he looked at child pornography. She said many of the devices in the home belonged to him and were used for work.

Officers seized computers and multiple flash drives from the home. Inside a laptop bag in Brooks’ home office, police found a folder labeled with his name that contained printed photographs. According to the complaint, the images showed children under age 14, including toddlers and infants, in acts of graphic sexual abuse.

Brooks was arrested and agreed to speak with investigators after being advised of his rights. Police said he acknowledged knowing about the folder and admitted its contents included sexual images of children. He told officers he knew it was illegal to possess such material and claimed he had forgotten the folder existed. Brooks also admitted to viewing child sexual abuse content online in the days prior to the search and said that his browser history on a downstairs laptop would contain more material. Brooks later stated that he was not initially interested in child sexual abuse material, but he found “it was only a click away,” and that he is “not necessarily” sexually attracted to children but was attracted to the “novelty.”

Investigators say Brooks voluntarily provided access to his devices, where a laptop was found to have more than 30 tabs open. One active browser window displayed content consistent with child sexual abuse.

The printed materials were submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for further analysis. Officials confirmed that 21 of the 36 images depicted previously identified victims. Each of the 12 counts filed against Brooks corresponds to a different printed image described in graphic language at the end of the complaint.

Prosecutors allege that all 12 counts involve victims under the age of 14. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison or a $10,000 fine.

According to the Minnesota Secretary of State, Brooks is listed as the president of Faith Partners Inc. The organization’s website, which shares the same mailing address as the business registration, describes Faith Partners as a “Saint Paul-based nonprofit focused on helping faith communities respond to addiction and related mental health issues with compassion and understanding.” As of publication, he was still listed as executive director.

Brooks’ biography, from the organization’s website:

“As Faith Partners Executive Director, Drew provides leadership, administration, and training for this congregational team ministry model. He has worked with Faith Partners since 1999 as the Project Manager, the Minnesota Area Coordinator (overseeing 40 congregational teams), and team facilitator twice at his home churches. He has been active in the church all his life providing leadership in music, youth, compassion, small group, and addiction ministries. The Faith Partners (FP) team approach is an evidence-based intervention used in nearly 1,000 congregations in 29 states from 23 different faith traditions.”

“Drew’s graduate studies were in psychological services. He has worked in the prevention, treatment, and public health, and faith settings for over thirty-six years. As an employee with Hazelden Foundation and Johnson Institute he provided training and technical assistance with faith communities, schools, and community organizations in over 40 states across the United States. He has also worked locally as a prevention specialist with key community groups focusing on different resiliency models and environmental prevention strategies for underage drinking and marijuana use. He has co-authored four curricula on stress management strategies, raising resilient children, group facilitation skills, and congregational addiction team ministry.”

“As Faith Partners Executive Director, Drew provides leadership, administration, and training for this congregational team ministry model. He has worked with Faith Partners since 1999 as the Project Manager, the Minnesota Area Coordinator (overseeing 40 congregational teams), and team facilitator twice at his home churches. He has been active in the church all his life providing leadership in music, youth, compassion, small group, and addiction ministries. The Faith Partners (FP) team approach is an evidence-based intervention used in nearly 1,000 congregations in 29 states from 23 different faith traditions.”

“Drew’s graduate studies were in psychological services. He has worked in the prevention, treatment, and public health, and faith settings for over thirty-six years. As an employee with Hazelden Foundation and Johnson Institute he provided training and technical assistance with faith communities, schools, and community organizations in over 40 states across the United States. He has also worked locally as a prevention specialist with key community groups focusing on different resiliency models and environmental prevention strategies for underage drinking and marijuana use. He has co-authored four curricula on stress management strategies, raising resilient children, group facilitation skills, and congregational addiction team ministry.”

Brooks has been summoned to appear in court. If convicted, each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.