Former South Australian youth pastor Daniel Menelaou granted bail in US

A former Adelaide youth pastor, accused of possessing child abuse videos while working for a megachurch in the US, has been granted bail.

Daniel Menelaou, a former international megachurch youth pastor, was arrested after a tip-off. Picture: LinkedIn

A former South Australian youth pastor accused of possessing child abuse videos while working for a megachurch in the United States has been granted bail after paying almost $200,000 to secure his release.

Daniel Menelaou, 28, was charged with six counts of possessing or controlling material depicting a minor involved in sexually explicit conduct.

He was arrested last week following a joint investigation by Homeland Security, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations and Roswell Police after a tip-off alleging he had been sharing sexually explicit videos of children.

But Menelaou, who authorities say could face further charges, will now be allowed to await trial in the community after he was granted a bond of $20,000 USD on each count – a total of $120,000USD or more than $188,000 AUD.

Daniel Menelaou, a former international megachurch youth pastor, has been arrested in the US over child abuse images. Picture: Fulton County Sheriff’s Office

As part of his release conditions, Menealou will be required to wear an ankle monitor.

“You are to have no contact directly or indirectly with the victim, victim’s family, professional, personal, or close associates, by phone, mail, e-mail, or through third party, including at victim’s workplace, church, home, and daycare,” his bond agreement states.

“If you encounter the victim, you must leave immediately, and must not come within 200 yards of victim.”

Menelaou has also agreed not to consume alcohol or drugs without a prescription.

He will be subject to a 24 hour curfew at his three-bedroom Roswell home, less than an hour outside Atlanta, except to attend medical, legal and work commitments.

The married South Australian man had been working in the United States at the Futures Church megacampus in Alpharetta, about 15 minutes from his home in Roswell.

A church spokesperson said the group did not pay for Meleanou’s bond.

“No, Daniel Menelaou’s bail was not paid for by our organisation,” the spokesman told this masthead.

The church has moved to distance itself from Menelaou in the wake of his arrest, issuing a statement describing the allegations as “abhorrent, appalling, and completely contrary to everything we stand for”.

The spokesman said Menelaou had been terminated from his position with Futures Church, previously known as Influencers Church.

“Our hearts go out first and foremost to any victims who have been harmed,” the statement said.

“We remain committed to standing with all survivors of abuse, particularly children, whose suffering should never be ignored or minimised.”

The spokesman said the church was also supporting Menealou’s wife who was in an “incredibly painful position”.

Menelaou’s case was next listed for a pre-indictment hearing in the Fulton County Superior Court in early April, but has been pushed back to a date yet to be set.