A Virginia pastor is accused of solicitation of minors for prostitution after a police sting.
John Blanchard, 51, is one of 17 men the Chesterfield County Police Special Victims Unit says were allegedly looking for sex through online and social media platforms, NBC affiliate WAVY reported.
The men thought they were talking to minors and were arranging to meet them, but instead, they were talking with detectives, police said in a statement, according to The Virginian Pilot.
Blanchard was arrested on October 29 on charges of solicitation of prostitution from a minor age 16 or older and using a vehicle to promote prostitution or unlawful sex. He was released on bond.
It was not clear Tuesday if he had an attorney.
Blanchard and his wife, Robin, are senior pastors at Rock Church in Virginia Beach, according to the church's website. They have been lead pastors since 2013.
Video of Sunday's service showed Blanchard spoke at the beginning and end of the service. His wife also spoke briefly. Neither addressed the charges, which were announced the next day.
Police and Rock Church representatives did not immediately respond to requests from NBC News for comment.
Church founder Anne Gimenez told WAVY that "at this time we do not have enough information to make a comment!”
Latest Stories
-
CODEO calls for the sanctioning of individuals arrested for electoral malpractices
2 mins -
Train involved in test run accident will start operations in June – Railways Minister
3 mins -
Boeing may face criminal prosecution over 737 Max crashes, US says
6 mins -
Nigeria suspends cybersecurity levy after public uproar
8 mins -
You can rise to the occasion and make Ghana greater – Nayiri to Bawumia
24 mins -
I was born in a country where people don’t read – Blakk Rasta
32 mins -
Technically there’s nothing wrong with Kodua Fokuo’s appointment, timing is the problem -Agyemang-Duah
46 mins -
Paying to vote is rubbing off the shine of award schemes – Blakk Rasta
53 mins -
Ambulance case: Government failed to cooperate with Big Sea to install supplied accessories – 3rd accused
54 mins -
DBG, Proxtera to make available $100m digital loans to Ghanaian SMEs
59 mins -
Bawumia assures payment of nursing trainee allowance by Thursday
1 hour -
Third African Media Convention opens today
1 hour -
Sierra Leone’s President opens 2024 ECOWAS Court International Conference
1 hour -
Ambulance case: There’s no financial loss to the state – 3rd accused
1 hour -
Nana Oye Bampoe sues ex-husband, demands $1.5m in damages
1 hour