A Park City minister accused of possessing child pornography was allowed to post bond after Wednesday’s hearing in U.S. District Court in Bowling Green.

David E. Meadows, pastor at Park City United Methodist Church, was released on a $25,000 bond and is forbidden from leaving the home of his mother in McCreary County – unless he’s going to work or to medical, legal or court appointments – by order of Magistrate Robert Goebel. Meadows is forbidden from taking any job that would place him in contact with children under 18 years old.

He has been charged with possessing and distributing child pornography, according to federal court documents, through a peer-to-peer computer network using Limewire, a popular file-sharing program.

More than a dozen members of Meadows’ congregation, along with his wife and son, came to the detention hearing to support him. Two of his church members offered to act as third-party custodians for Meadows and to let him live in their home.

The prosecution argued against Meadows’ release due to the potential danger he would be to any community he was living in, said David Weiser, an assistant with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Louisville.

&#8220He intentionally chose a profession where he could actively pursue children and have access to them, where he would instantly have the trust and respect of their parents,” Weiser said.

The 172 child pornography items, found both inside Meadows’ residence and in his church office, contained images and videos of children being bound and raped, Weiser said.

&#8220He’s a dangerous pedophile, and I don’t think any requirements would ensure the safety of the community,” he said. &#8220All it takes is one incident and I don’t want that on my conscience and I don’t think the court wants that on its conscience.”

Patrick Bouldin, the Western Kentucky court-appointed community defender representing Meadows, disagreed. He pointed out that Meadows has some significant ties to the community that would ensure he would appear in court, and that the implication that Meadows is dangerous is unfounded.

&#8220There are no allegations he actually molested any children,” Bouldin said.

In addition, peer-to-peer networks can sometimes leave files on a person’s computer without their knowledge, Bouldin said.

&#8220He didn’t accidentally print these images, they didn’t accidentally get into his night stand,” Weiser argued. &#8220We’re still investigating to see if he was involved in the production of any of this material.”

The FBI has not been able to interview all potential victims, he said.

Although Goebel didn’t assign Meadows a third-party custodian, Weiser argued one was necessary to report any potential illegal behavior, and that neighbors should be aware of the charges Meadows is facing.

Goebel said it was up to the U.S. Attorney’s Office or the FBI if they wanted to notify neighbors about Meadows pending charges. Probation and parole would notify any potential employer in McCreary County about the charges.

The FBI affidavit states that Meadows was the church’s only employee, with the exception of a cleaning woman, and was the only person with access to the computer.

Meadow’s case is expected to be presented to a federal grand jury in early November. If the case remains on schedule, he will be arraigned on Nov. 22.