Jason Yates, the former CEO of evangelical get-out-the-vote nonprofit My Faith Votes, has been charged with eight counts of possession of child sexual abuse material. The charges stem from a witness who provided Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents with a hard drive that belonged to Yates and contained disturbing content involving minors under the age of 14.
The witness reportedly came into possession of the hard drive after a relative of Yates accidentally discovered it in his office. Upon further investigation, the hard drive was found to contain more than 100 sexually explicit images of children, with some as young as 5 years old. Additionally, there was a video approximately 17 minutes long that was part of the collection of child sexual abuse material.
Yates, who has a prior conviction and is a registered predatory offender, served as the CEO and president of My Faith Votes for years. The nonprofit organization aims to encourage Christian citizens to participate in every election and has collaborated with influential conservative figures such as Ben Carson and Mike Huckabee.
Following the discovery of the disturbing content on the hard drive, My Faith Votes reportedly separated Yates from the organization in early August. This incident is particularly troubling considering Yates’ previous public statements on issues related to sexuality and morality.
In an op-ed for the Washington Times earlier this year, Yates criticized what he deemed as “sexually deviant behavior” in schools, citing an instance where middle school students were promoting LGBTQ pride at a robotics competition. He also emphasized the importance of letting faith guide political decisions, particularly on topics like gender, sexuality, abortion, and socialism.
Despite his release following a hearing, Yates is prohibited from having contact with anyone under the age of 18 as a condition of his release. The case against him highlights the importance of vigilance and accountability, especially in positions of authority and influence.
As the legal proceedings continue, it is essential for organizations like My Faith Votes to uphold ethical standards and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals, particularly those who are vulnerable to exploitation and harm. This case serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with leadership roles and the need for transparency and integrity in all aspects of public service.
