Student minister at Christ's Church in Mandarin charged with molesting a teenager

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A student minister at a church in Mandarin is facing charges of child molestation.

Police arrested David Wayne Lawson, 38, on four counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim older than 12 but under the age of 16.

The police report shows the victim is 15.

The investigation began in December of last year when police received a report about a man engaged in sexual activity with a minor.

Police received new evidence this week that corroborated the initial report.

On Wednesday, police went to Christ's Church on Greenland Road where Lawson works as a student minister.

Officers detained him for questioning. He reportedly confessed and was taken to jail.

Police say Lawson expressed suicidal thoughts as a result of his arrest.

Lawson is being held at the Duval County Jail without bond.

He's been fired from the church.