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	Boca Raton Minister Busted in Bathroom Sex Sting By Paige Kornblue WPTV September 6, 2007 http://www.wptv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=04aa7fe8-1ec4-4e81-968c-5caa0c2c3c9a A Boca Raton priest is facing prostitution and indecent exposure charges. Police say Rev. Michael Penland of Saint Gregory's Episcopal Church was issued a citation following an undercover bathroom sex sting. The citation was issued in North Carolina earlier this summer Police say Penland was one of seven men cited for soliciting sex from an undercover cop in the men's restroom. It was all part of "Operation Summer heat." Father Andrew Sherman, Rector at Saint Gregory's Episcopal Church, couldn't believe the news Wednesday. "When an area paper from Asheville called the church asking for the church's comment," says Father Sherman. "Our first reaction was that this is a hoax. We thought it was a practical joke," says Sherman. Sherman quickly learned it was no joke. He says Penland was immediately suspended, unable to participate in ministry activities, but he has not been asked to leave his home. Penland lives in a home on church property with his wife and son. No one answered the door or the phone Thursday. The news about their Director of Youth Ministry has spread quickly throughout the church community. "Shock and dismay. Michael has served here on our staff since November, November of 2006 he came and his ministry here has been a life-giving one for our parish," says Father Sherman. Father Sherman says Penland was on a two or three week family vacation in North Carolina when the incident happened. Penland came to Boca Raton from North Carolina. He still has a home in North Carolina. "We did an extensive background check as we do for all priests that come into our diocese and that includes criminal background check, sexual abuse background check, financial background check, and calling personal references both professional and personal and there were no red flags or anything to indicate he was anything other than a gifted priest," says Sherman. Congregational meetings will be held at St. Gregory's Friday and Saturday. Father Sherman says he will also speak about the incident at Sunday's services..
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