A youth coordinator at a Smithfield area church has been arrested on statutory rape charges. The alleged incident occurred in the parking lot at a Clayton area elementary school.
Around 2:25am Sunday, a Johnston County deputy sheriff was conducting a routine building check at River Dell Elementary, located at 12100 Buffalo Road. The officer noticed a suspicious SUV parked between the bus parking lot and cafeteria. After approaching the vehicle, the officer found a naked male and female under a blanket.
The man, identified as Michael Todd Jansco of Clayton, initially told the officer he was 18 years-old but after performing a routine background check the officer determined he was actually 24 years-old. Jansco admitted to picking up the 15 year-old female at her home and stated he had met the girl at church, according to Sheriff’s Captain Jeff Caldwell.
Authorities said Jansco is the Youth Coordinator at Elizabeth United Methodist Church on Cleveland Road outside of Smithfield.
Attempts to reach officials at Elizabeth United Methodist Church have so far not been successful.
Jansco was charged with statutory rape of a child. Monday afternoon, he was still being held in the Johnston County Jail under a $50,000 bond.
