Polk County Pastor Charged With Soliciting Sex

Stephen Glenn Charest, 66, of Lake Wales, has been arrested and charged with soliciting oral sex from a male undercover detective. Charest, who serves as the pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Polk County, faces one count of solicitation to another to commit lewdness. Following his arrest on Tuesday, he has bonded out of Polk County Jail.

The incident reportedly occurred at the Lake Fannie Boat Ramp in Winter Haven, where a male detective was working undercover in response to reports of lewd activity. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the detective walked to a wooded area and spoke with the pastor, who allegedly asked the detective to perform oral sex on him. The detective responded by asking, “OK, is that what you want me to do?”

Charest was appointed as the head priest of Holy Spirit Catholic Church on March 8. A statement on the church’s Facebook page expressed gratitude for his ministry, noting that the community had observed his dedication, care, and pastoral support over the past three years. The church released a statement on Wednesday confirming that Bishop John Noonan has removed Charest’s faculties, prohibiting him from ministering as a priest in the Diocese of Orlando. The statement also expressed prayers for Charest, the Holy Spirit Catholic community, and all involved in the situation.

Parishioners who learned of the arrest expressed shock, with one member, Schultz, noting that she had been married at the church more than a decade ago by a different priest and had never expected such an accusation. Schultz described Charest as kind and positive with children, stating that her family was shocked and that the situation was a shame.

Prior to his current role, Charest was dismissed from Our Lady of the Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, according to an article published on the blog Clerical Whispers in June 2010. The article noted that the dismissal was surprising to many parishioners who found him popular. A spokesperson for the Diocese of St. Augustine, quoted in that article, stated that the dismissal was not due to any abuse.

The situation highlights the gravity of accountability within religious leadership, where trust is placed in those who shepherd communities. As the legal process unfolds, the distinction between accusation and conviction remains critical. The community’s response, marked by shock and a call for prayer, reflects the complex interplay of personal relationships and institutional duty. In the face of such allegations, the pursuit of truth and justice must proceed with integrity, honoring the dignity of all parties while upholding the standards of care and accountability expected of those in positions of spiritual leadership.

Source: Read the original report