Welcome home canceled for Houston-area pastor convicted in child sex sting set for parole release

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston-area pastor convicted in an online child sex sting is scheduled to be released from prison Tuesday after serving less than half of his 25-year sentence, according to records.

Records show Jeremiah Busby has been granted parole and is expected to be released. Supporters had planned a welcome-home celebration on July 4 at Set Free Church on Uvalde Road, promoting the event with flyers on social media.

But after ABC13 contacted church leaders about the event, the church canceled the rental and refunded the organizer's payment.

Church leaders said they were not aware of Busby's criminal history when the event was booked. Busby is required to register as a sex offender following his conviction, and the church said the presence of children in its congregation raised safety concerns.

ABC13 first reported on Busby's arrest in 2015. At the time, Busby was involved in prison ministry, according to his Facebook page. Investigators said he believed he was meeting a 14-year-old girl for sex but instead encountered law enforcement during an online child exploitation sting.

Busby was convicted in 2017 and sentenced to 25 years in prison for online solicitation of a minor.

The event was organized by Randy San Miguel, who said he met Busby while both were incarcerated. San Miguel, who said he served time for stealing cars and now does prison outreach, said he believes in giving people a second chance.

"I'm an advocate for second chances because someone did it for me," San Miguel said.

When asked whether he had concerns about Busby being around children, San Miguel said any contact would be monitored.

"I don't condone it. It's a crime. He got sentenced for it. How far do you take it? How far do you beat a dead dog? He was paroled, and he met his requirements. How much more?" San Miguel said.

In addition to his child sex conviction, Busby previously served prison time in Dallas County for murder and aggravated robbery. He also has a drug conviction.

If released as scheduled, Busby will remain on parole for approximately 14 years as part of his sentence for the online solicitation conviction.