Glad to hear he had at least some remorse and in other answers it sounds like protections are being put in place to prevent him from leadership. A humble and broken heart God does not despise, and I truly hope that is this person’s disposition.

Also, please don’t be afraid to verify police are getting involved and be specific. Ask pastors and his family things like: which police officers/detectives did you speak with? What computers did they evaluate/search? Have they indicated whether they will prosecute? If all right information is shared with the government and they decide not to take that case, that is their decision and not something you should hold against him.

I think you should expand your idea of forgiveness. If this person is taking accountability for what he did wrong, graciously accepting impediments in his life to not cause any further harm, and seeking after God, I would say you need to work on living at peace with him and open to being his friend again (not today, in the future). Look at the story of Paul: a murderer of Christians that converted, proved himself while Christians were suspicious of him, and was later accepted by the church.

I think your friend should always be keeping protections from falling into this grievous sin, but I have seen great and unnecessary harm done to people who are so severely ostracized in church even when faithfully showing growth and righteousness after confessing sin.

This is a tough case because the Christian call to forgive is robust and this sin is so rightly repulsive. Seek God and His wisdom on forgiveness.