FAYETTE COUNTY — Bail has been set at $250,000 for a 44-year-old Vandalia man who was an assistant preacher at a Patoka church and has been charged in Fayette County Court with child pornography offenses.

Ferrell M. Kissiar was the United Pentecostal Church of Patoka and was also recently a teacher’s aide at Cornerstone Academy in Nokomis.

Kissiar was formally charged Wednesday with two Class X felonies for the reproduction of child pornography depicting a victim under the age of 13, two Class 1 felony counts dissemination of child pornography, one Class 2 felony count possession of child pornography depicting a victim under the age of 13, and one Class 3 felony for possession of child pornography.

According to Attorney General Kwame Raoul, investigators from his office, along with the assistance of the Vandalia Police Department, conducted a search of a residence Monday, March 1, in the 400 block of Poplar Street in Vandalia and arrested Kissiar after discovering evidence that he allegedly reproduced and disseminated child pornography.

Officials are encouraging residents who may have additional information to submit a tip to the Vandalia Police Department by calling 618-283-1986 or the Fayette County Sheriff’s office via Facebook.

Fayette County State’s Attorney Josh Morrison says the arrest is a culmination of a tremendous amount of work by the Attorney General’s investigators. He says as State’s Attorney, he pledges to continue to do everything he can to protect the citizens of Fayette County from dangerous criminals and especially those who would seek to harm children.