Baptist Pastor Among Men Arrested in Sex Sting

Police targeted men involved in online prostitution

A sting operation targeting men involved in online prostitution has netted a pastor: William Martell Kannarney.

William Kannarney and other arrested in sting operation / Courtesy of Seneca Police Department

Kannarney, who was arrested this week and charged with first-degree prostitution, was senior pastor at Blue Ridge View Baptist Church in Pickens, South Carolina. He previously served at Liberty First Baptist Church in Liberty, South Carolina. Neither church would answer questions, and neither has posted information about his arrest.

News reports say the Seneca Police Department started an investigation last summer after community members reported suspicious activities at a local residence.

Using surveillance, search warrants, and digital records, police gathered evidence about people selling sex services and homed in on the location where sex workers were offered to paying customers.

In addition to Kannarney, officials arrested four other men. Four suspects are still being sought.

Blue Ridge View Baptist Church was founded in 1916, and in 2008 it was recognized by the South Carolina Southern Baptist Convention for leading the state in baptisms.

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Why does MinistryWatch report on sex crimes? These stories are tough to read and sometimes even tougher to report, but we think they are vital to our mission to bring transparency, accountability, and credibility to the evangelical church. To read more about why and how we report these stories, read “Why MinistryWatch Reports On Sex Crimes.” You can find that story here.

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