Welcome to Arrest Stories. A forty-eight-year-old Peoria pastor was arrested in Pekin on October seventh, two thousand twenty-five, on charges of distributing harmful materials to a minor. Here's what may have happened.
Michael S. Ritchason, who served as lead pastor at Riverside Community Church in Peoria, found himself facing serious criminal charges after police received evidence of ongoing dissemination of materials on October fifth. The investigation led to his arrest just two days later by Pekin police.
According to court documents, Ritchason allegedly engaged in a lengthy Snapchat thread in which he sent graphic photographs of himself to a minor last summer. The illicit photo on Snapchat ultimately led to his arrest on charges of distributing harmful material to a minor, which is classified as a Class Four felony.
Ritchason brought significant community standing to his role, having previously served as both an elementary school teacher and Pekin City Council member before his pastoral position. However, his church leadership came to an abrupt end following the criminal charges.
The timeline of events moved swiftly after his October arrest. Ritchason had been on leave from Riverside Community Church for two months and had asked to be removed from his post as lead pastor. Formal charges against him were made public on December twenty-third, two months after his initial arrest.
Following the public announcement of charges, church leadership took decisive action. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Riverside Community Church announced that on Sunday, December twenty-eighth, the elders determined the church would require Ritchason's resignation. The church received his resignation on Monday morning.
The church addressed the congregation directly, stating this was an alleged serious matter and noting: In an effort to communicate clearly and keep you informed, we are aware that formal charges against Pastor Michael were made public on December twenty-third. With this unfortunate news, and after much prayer, we have had to make the decision to let Michael go.
Ritchason's first court appearance is scheduled for January twenty-ninth.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.