HOLLY HILL, Fla.,None — A former Catholic priest is facing charges following a sex sting at a Volusia County park.
Police arrested 61-year-old Paige Blakely for exposing himself to an uncover officer inside a bathroom at Ross Point Park on Riverside Drive in Holly Hill last week.
Blakely used to be the priest at St. Ann's Catholic Church in DeBary.
Members of St. Ann’s Catholic Church told WFTV they were shocked by Blakely's arrest. They said he was head priest at the church for years.
Holly Hill Police said what he did inside a bathroom at Ross Hill Park was not something they would expect from a man of God.
Police set up a sting after they received tips men were using the restroom to meet for sex.
“We have received periodic citizen complaints of ongoing lewd and lascivious activity going on in park bathrooms,” said Holly Hill Police Chief Mark Barker.
Barker said the bathroom with a large stall was a pick-up spot for men to meet for sex. That is why he sent undercover officers into the bathroom.
"These individuals were meeting there for basically lewd conduct inside the restroom," said Barker. "It certainly creates an unsafe condition for anyone, especially children who may enter that restroom."
“In an undercover capacity went in there and observed these acts taking place,” said Barker.
According to the charging affidavit, Blakely exposed himself to an officer. Blakely told police he wanted to “experience what it was like” and was “trying to get a thrill.”
Blakely listed his occupation as retired attorney, according to police. Church goers told WFTV he was also an attorney and did legal work for the Orlando Diocese.
Blakely was arrested with a handful of other men in the operation.
Barker said they have worked to change most bathrooms in the city to allow just one person in at a time to keep this kind of thing from happening.
WFTV
