Former Smyrna Minister Arrested on Child Porn Charges

A former pastor at the was arrested Thursday morning on federal child pornography charges.

Albert Turnell Jr., 71, was arrested at his home without incident according to a FBI spokesman. The retired minister, who has also led congregations in Marietta, Calhoun and Colbert, was charged with possession and distribution of child pornography. 

Steve Lyle, senior pastor at Smyrna First UMC, declined comment when contacted by Patch.

According to friend, Tom Cook, the chancellor of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, Turnell served at the Smyrna church from 1984-94.

“He had a distinguished career serving the United Methodist Church for 41 years,’’ said Cook, who declined further comment.

Turnell is expected to make a court appearance Thursday afternoon. With assistance from the Sandy Springs Police Department, the case was investigated by the FBI’s Innocent Task Force and the GBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.