September 21, 2021–7:00 p.m.
FLOYD COUNTY POLICE NEWS RELEASE
Police are investigating alleged criminal conduct of a youth pastor after two adults came forward to disclose they were sexually abused by the man when they were children. The incidents occurred at his home in eastern Floyd County and at one other location.
Christopher Matthew Codding, age 42, was arrested in July for two felony counts of aggravated child molestation, which allege he committed sex acts with two pre-teen boys. He was released in August on a $30,000 bond, with conditions that he wear an ankle monitor, have no contact with minors and be confined to his home.
Codding has been the youth pastor at a church in Bartow County for 15 years and also worked in the
medical profession. He was connected with a youth summer camp in Blue Ridge and additionally
operated a youth ministry for boys called Rock On, which accepted both teens and pre-teens from across
the state.
The suspect was previously a foster parent, and at the time of his arrest he was employed as a
radiologic technician and instructor at a local technical college. Codding frequently traveled to
Baltimore for work.
Investigator Amy Nails is concerned there might be other victims due to Codding’s access to
children for more than a decade. It is not uncommon for victims of sexual abuse to remain silent through
childhood and come forward as adults. Police are asking for anyone with information or complaint to
call or email us immediately.
Information can be submitted to Floyd County Police Investigator Amy Nails at [email protected]