A planned "welcome home" party for a Texas pastor, Jeremiah Busby, who was released on parole after serving 12 years of a 25-year sentence for his role in an online child sex ring, was canceled amid widespread public outrage.
Busby, of Houston, pleaded guilty in 2017 to charges stemming from an online sting operation where he believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl, asking for nude photos and arranging to meet for sex. Court documents revealed he had a prior criminal history, including convictions for murder and aggravated robbery.
Supporters had organized a July 4 celebration at Set Free Church on Uvalde Road, with social media invitations encouraging the community to "honor" Busby as he "continues his journey with Christ." Randy San Miguel, who organized the event, told KTRK News that he is an advocate for second chances, having met Busby in prison. San Miguel stated that Busby's contact with children would be monitored but acknowledged the seriousness of the crime.
The news of the planned party quickly spread on social media, drawing sharp criticism from hundreds of users expressing dismay over the celebration of a man convicted of soliciting a minor.
Following the public outcry and further review, Set Free Church announced it would not host the event. In a statement shared on Facebook, church leaders explained that the rental agreement was terminated because they were unaware of Busby's criminal past. They cited serious safety concerns regarding the presence of children in the congregation.
"The moment this information came to light, we terminated the rental agreement and issued a full refund," the church stated. "The event will not take place on our campus." Leaders clarified that the event was booked through a third-party contract and that the organizers had no prior connection to the church. The church committed to reviewing and tightening its policies for vetting outside organizations.
Busby's arrest in 2015 occurred during an undercover operation by the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Detectives reported receiving numerous sexual messages from Busby over a five-day period, during which he inquired about the age and sexual activity of the person he believed to be a minor. At the time of his arrest, Busby was on parole for a drug possession conviction.
Prosecutors at the time described Busby as a "wolf in sheep's clothing," noting his involvement in a ministry aimed at helping former inmates while continuing to engage in illegal conduct. He was ordered to register as a sex offender and will remain on parole for approximately 14 more years.