A Filipino-American Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) minister was arrested in Staten Island, New York City, for allegedly sending inappropriate messages and attempting to meet a 12-year-old child.

The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Glennonsalvador Payabyab, was arrested on Thursday, 3 April, by the New York City Police District (NYCPD), according to the records of the New York State Unified Court System. The arrest followed a report filed by the child’s mother on 31 March.

Local news reports in Staten Island said that Payabyab interacted with the child at a yard sale, where he inquired about some items being sold. The mother said her daughter gave her number to Payabyab, unaware that he lived only a few blocks away.

The court documents showed that Payabyab sent over 20 texts to the child for four days. Among the text messages, he asked the child to send him ‘whole body’ photos. NYPD detectives confirmed that Payabyab owned the number through mobile verification.

“Can you send photos of you? Any kind of photos. Whole body. We can just meet first in what house? So I can pick you up,” the message read.

Payabyab attempted to meet the 12-year-old on the same day he was arrested, with NYPD authorities and members of the Protect Our Child organization monitoring the meeting location.

The INC minister pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge. His defense attorney, Kyle Todd Peters, stated that the allegations toward Payabyab were ‘troubling,’ citing that he is a respected member of the community with no prior criminal record.

Payabyab’s next court appearance at the Richmond Criminal Court is scheduled for 3 June.