UPDATE: Pastor had sex with parishioner at park and ride, complaint says

From Staff Reports | SCTimes

AVON — A 49-year-old pastor at Avon Community Church was charged Tuesday in Stearns County District Court on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with a parishioner he counseled.

Charles Norman Pelkey was charged with one felony count of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint:

In November 2017, Pelkey started meeting with an adult female parishioner who wanted to "learn more about God."

At first the counseling sessions were in Pelkey's office at the church, but in February Pelkey reportedly moved the session to a more secluded part of the church and "expressed having sexual feelings toward" the woman, the complaint states.

On March 23, Pelkey met the woman at a county park, where she reported she performed oral sex on Pelkey. The woman told police she and Pelkey then had sex at a St. Joseph park and ride on April 11 and May 21.

On May 22, the woman said she contacted Pelkey to end the relationship.

During the sexual relationship, Pelkey "continued to provide religious and marital guidance to the victim," according to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office.

Minnesota law bars sexual relationships between clergy and those to whom they give counsel, including relationships in which the victim consents.

Avon Police Department received information from another church member about the case on July 11. Because Pelkey served as the chaplain of the Avon Police Department, Stearns County was asked the same day to conduct the investigation.

Pelkey turned himself in at 3 p.m. Monday and made his first court appearance Tuesday morning.