Nampa Pastor Faces Court Again With Not Guilty Plea On Serious Charges

Pastor Pleads Not Guilty Amid Serious Accusations

Back in the spotlight, Nampa pastor Matthew Masiewicz stood firm in court on Wednesday, entering a not guilty plea to charges that have shaken the community. The former spiritual leader at Sovereign Grace Fellowship faces serious accusations involving child pornography and the use of technology to create inappropriate images.

Facing a Multitude of Charges

Masiewicz, who was arrested in September, is up against 13 felony charges. These include twelve counts of distributing and possessing child sexually exploitative material, each carrying heavy penalties that could see him behind bars for up to 30 years per count. Fines are also steep, potentially reaching $50,000, alongside civil penalties and mandatory sex offender registration if convicted.

"When you're facing multiple charges, there's the possibility that you'll be convicted of more than one charge," noted Judge Brent Whiting during the arraignment.

The 13th charge is particularly concerning, accusing Masiewicz of using artificial intelligence to create explicit images that deceptively appear to involve minors. This charge alone could result in an additional five-year sentence.

Evidence and Legal Proceedings

Currently held on a $2 million bond, with strict orders to avoid contact with minors, Masiewicz's case grows more complex as new details emerge. Investigators from Idaho’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force have traced illegal content distribution back to the Kik app and the IP address at Masiewicz's church. Though initially in denial, court records reveal Masiewicz admitted to manipulating adult content using AI technology.

Despite these admissions, authorities affirm that Masiewicz had no direct physical contact with any minors. His legal journey continues with a pretrial conference slated for January 20, followed by a jury trial set for February 23.