PINE CITY, Minn. (AP) - A Minnesota pastor is charged with possessing child pornography.

Forty-seven-year-old William Helker made his first appearance Friday in Pine County court. Helker is charged with six felony counts of possessing child pornography.

Agents from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension arrested Helker at his home in Pine City on Wednesday. Authorities arrested Helker after executing search warrants at his home and at All Saints Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, where he is an associate pastor.

According to the criminal complaint, Helker told an agent he would take innocent images of children and use them to create pornographic works.

All Saints says Helker is on administrative leave, and the church will cooperate with investigators.

Helker remained in jail on Friday. His attorney did not immediately return a phone message for comment.

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