Las Vegas Pastor Neal Creecy Resigns After Child Sex Sting Arrest Involving Gay Hookup App

Neal Creecy, a prominent Las Vegas faith leader, resigned from his position as senior pastor of Redemption Church after being arrested in a police sting operation targeting adults seeking sexual encounters with minors. According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Creecy was one of eight men arrested during a two-week multi-agency operation to uncover child sex predators. Creecy, who holds advanced degrees in divinity and missiology and has over twenty years of experience in church leadership, was released on a $10,000 bond following his arrest on August 7. He is scheduled to appear in Henderson Justice Court on September 2.

A statement from Redemption Church leadership confirmed that Creecy resigned immediately after his release from jail. “As soon as he got out of jail within an hour or two, he contacted us on a thread message and confessed. He offered his resignation when we met with him later that morning. We had to accept his resignation immediately,” said W. Don Seaborg, president of pastoral support for Redemption Church.

The sting was part of a larger police initiative to identify and apprehend individuals attempting to solicit minors for sex via digital platforms. Law enforcement officials report that Creecy communicated with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old boy on the hookup app Sniffies. The exchanges, according to police reports, quickly became sexual in nature, and Creecy reportedly agreed to meet for sexual activity before being arrested at the agreed location. In Nevada, the age of consent is 16, making Creecy’s alleged actions a felony offense.

The operation also resulted in the arrests of several other individuals, including an Israeli cybersecurity official, as part of the wider effort to combat online child exploitation in Clark County.

Redemption Church, which Creecy founded in 2018, responded swiftly by accepting his resignation and clarifying its separation from other congregations that share the same facility. “We want to be clear: Redemption Church is a separate ministry and operates independently from ,” stated Don Lorfing, Senior Pastor of the Good Samaritan Lutheran Church, which rents space to Redemption Church but is otherwise unaffiliated.

Creecy’s arrest and resignation have prompted discussions within the local and national faith communities about safeguarding children and ensuring that church leadership is held to the highest standards of accountability. Redemption Church leadership has stated its intent to fully cooperate with law enforcement and support congregants during this time.

The incident has particular resonance for LGBTQ+ communities, who often face stigmatization and misinformation regarding sexual orientation, online safety, and sexual health. While hookup apps like Sniffies are widely used by gay and bisexual men seeking consensual adult encounters, law enforcement and advocacy organizations emphasize the importance of online safety, education, and reporting mechanisms for both LGBTQ+ individuals and minors.

LGBTQ+ advocates stress that sexual abuse and exploitation are not linked to sexual orientation or gender identity, but rather to predatory behavior that must be addressed by law and community vigilance. The targeting of minors online is a widespread societal issue, and LGBTQ+ organizations continue to support comprehensive education and resources for safe digital engagement and reporting abuse.

Local groups, including LGBTQ+ support services and child protection advocates, have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that faith spaces are inclusive, affirming, and safe for all, including LGBTQ+ youth. The incident also highlights the need for ongoing dialogue about digital safety, responsible use of social platforms, and the importance of robust safeguards within religious and community organizations.

Neal Creecy is currently facing one felony count of luring or attempting to lure a child with the use of a computer to engage in sexual contact. If convicted, he could face significant legal penalties under Nevada law. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has urged anyone with additional information related to the case to come forward.

Redemption Church has launched internal reviews to ensure the safety and well-being of its members and has provided resources for those affected by the incident. As the legal process unfolds, both the congregation and the wider Las Vegas community continue to grapple with the fallout of Creecy’s alleged actions and the broader implications for trust, leadership, and protection within religious and LGBTQ+ spaces.