Gardendale worship leader arrested for soliciting a child online

FOX6 News has learned that a Gardendale worship leader was arrested and charged wtih soliciting a child online as well as traveling to meet the child for sex.

Court records show that 31-year-old Joel Kent Hodges was the Contemporary Worship Leader at the Gardendale Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church. Hodges was released from the Jefferson County Jail on Monday on a $90,000 bond.

Hodges worked at the same church that is believed to be connected to a double shooting and stabbing in Gardendale Thursday. Police have not confirmed the identities of those involved, but church members and a UMC conference official say that the senior pastor, Dr. Terry Greer, may be involved.

Copyright 2013 WBRC. All rights reserved.