ST. LOUIS -- The former pastor of a Lutheran church in Black Jack was indicted on federal charges here after allegedly getting snared by an international child pornography investigation.

Andrew John Spallek was senior pastor of Salem Lutheran Church until Sept. 23, when he resigned citing “personal reasons,” according to Sunday’s church bulletin.

He also has held various official positions with the Missouri District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, including as a vice president in a term that ended in June.

Spallek was indicted Sept. 24 and arrested the next day on two child porn possession charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

The indictment, sealed until last week, accuses Spallek of possessing 13 images of child pornography on two computers. Some were pictures of children having sex with adults, the document says.

Other court documents go further, indicating that Spallek was snared as part of a wide investigation into multiple online bulletin boards used to share child porn. Spallek had been a member of the bulletin board since 2006, and used the screen names “Middleton” and “Mota,” the documents say. Many of his postings were replies to other members; several thanked other members for posting links to child porn, according to an affidavit by a U.S. Postal Inspection Service agent.

Defense lawyer Matt Radefeld emphasized that there are no allegations that Spallek produced child porn or was involved in any improprieties with church members or children.

The church’s district president, Ray Mirly, said that he was unaware of Spallek’s troubles until recently, and that the defendant had not held a position with the district since June. In a statement, Mirly said he was “saddened” and could not comment on the accusations.

Kim Acton, Salem’s director of Christian outreach, said Spallek did not tell the church staff why he had resigned.

Spallek had remained as pastor for months after postal inspectors raided his home in the 3700 block of Thistledown Drive in Florissant in the spring. The church website says Spallek is married, with two children.