Lexington Pastor Arrested, Charged With Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Lexington pastor has been arrested and faces charges of sexual abuse and exploitation involving a minor.

According to a subpoena, Zachary King consented to an interview with a Lexington Police Department detective, during which he stated that he had “engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor within the past year and a half.”

The citation goes on to state that King told the detective he had “sexual intercourse with the minor beginning when she was 15 years old in January 2023, through April 2024.”

During the interview, the citation states, he also admitted to having “sexual intercourse at the minor's home, at his residence and at the church where he was a former pastor.”

King resigned from his position at the church after being confronted by other church staff about the allegations, the citation said.

The citation also states that King told the detective he would call and message the minor using “Snapchat and WhatsApp” to arrange the meetings as well as “receive sexually explicit images from the minor.”

LEX 18 discovered old video sermons on YouTube that show King was pastor at LexCity Church in Lexington.

He is being held at the Fayette County Detention Center and charged with the following charges:

• procure or promote the use of a minor by electronic means
• first degree rape
• first degree sodomy
• third degree rape
• third degree sodomy
• first degree sexual abuse

The king will be arraigned at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2.
This is a developing story. Check back regularly for the latest updates.