Ocala pastor arrested

OCALA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Marion County Sheriff's Office detectives, assisting the Orange County Sheriff's Office Sex Offender Squad, arrested an Ocala-area pastor on Friday.  Reverend Dr. Ken Kleckner III, pastor at Ocala West United Methodist Church, was taken into custody on five counts of Transmitting Harmful Materials to a Minor and one count of Soliciting a Minor for Sex.

Detectives from both agencies generated enough evidence for search warrants for Ocala West United Methodist Church, where Kleckner worked, and for his home. Law enforcement teams from both agencies served the warrants. Kleckner was arrested at the church.

Both law enforcement agencies are members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. It is cooperation among members of ICAC, which helps in making cases like this, said Lieutenant Chris Vorisek of the Marion County Sheriffs Office Youth Internet Crimes Unit.

Orange County Sheriff's Office detectives contacted MCSO back in May. It was at that time, Marion County Sheriff's Office detectives started surveillance of Kleckner.

"Computer related evidence was collected from both locations. Also, elements of the evidence include webcam video of Kleckner performing a lewd act for the minor. Mr. Kleckner had an online relationship with what he thought was a juvenile female," said Jeff Williamson, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

In reality, the juvenile female was a detective.  Kleckners bond is set at $55,000. He's in the Marion County Jail.