INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- KCTV5 spent the day in the metro and in Iowa trying to learn more about David Mohler, one of the five family members charged with sexual abuse crimes against children.

Graceland University officials Independence, Mo., said they were given a one-minute warning before officers swept in and arrested one of the Mohler family members.

"I know Dave is one of the kindest people you know in town," said Bob Ramsey, who knows Mohler personally and professionally and is a neighbor of his in Lamoni, Iowa.

"I find it impossible to believe he could have harmed children," he said.

Mohler, his brothers and father were in Lafayette County court on Thursday facing charges of sexually abusing children in the 1980s and 1990s. For the last 27 year, he has been employed in the tech department at Graceland University on both the Iowa and Independence campuses.

"We are stunned and shocked," said Graceland President John Sellars. "This is not the Dave Mohler we know. It's hard to fathom this is possible."

The university is supported by the Community of Christ church, a group that has ties to the Mohler family. Mohler was a lay minister in the church until leaders revoked his role in the church after the charges came down.

Burrell Mohler Sr, David's father, has deep ties to the school and the church, KCTV5's Eric Chaloux has learned.

"I've known him since over 50 years ago when we graduated from Graceland and it's unbelievable," Ramsey said. "I don't say it can't happen, but it's still unbelievable."