LEXINGTON (KY)
The Winchester Sun [Winchester, KY]
June 8, 2026
By Tom Latek/Kentucky Today
A former Lexington pastor charged with sexually abusing a young church member is now heading to prison, following action taken by the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office.
Zachary King, who previously served as executive pastor of LexCity Church, appeared in Fayette Circuit Court Thursday for his sentencing hearing.
The 48-year-old King was sentenced to 13 years in prison. He had previously pleaded guilty to Rape 1st Degree (a Class B Felony punishable by 10-20 years in prison), Sodomy 1st Degree (also a Class B Felony), Procuring or Promoting Use of a Minor in Sexual Activities (a Class D Felony with a one to five year prison term), Unlawful Transaction with a Minor First Degree (a Class C Felony with five to ten years in prison), Rape in the 3rd Degree (Class D Felony), Sodomy 3rd Degree (Class D Felony), and Sex Abuse 1st Degree (Class D Felony) in March.
The Attorney General’s office says the victim attended the church King pastored when the abuse occurred. According to court documents, on one occasion, King restrained the victim, raped and sodomized her. At the time, the victim was a minor. King then contacted the victim to arrange additional meetings where he sexually assaulted her.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, King will register as a lifetime sex offender. The judge also ordered him to have no contact with the victim.
“The defendant not only betrayed the trust of his victim but an entire congregation and community. We are relieved he will be sent to prison, rather than returning to the pulpit,” Coleman said.
The Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations investigated the case with support from the Lexington Police Department. Assistant Attorney General Todd Willard prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commonwealth. Erica Paske of the Attorney General’s Office of Victims Advocacy provided services for the victim.