Bartow, Florida -- A Bartow pastor is among those arrested in a Sex Sting conducted by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
According to arrest records, 33-year-old Matthew Clark was booked along with three other men Wednesday at Peace River Park.
Investigators say the men solicited sex from male detectives who were working undercover.
Mug Shot Gallery: Booking photos of the suspects
During the operation, investigators say male detectives made contact with various men in the park, four of whom exposed themselves to the detectives and/or asked the detectives to perform sex acts on them.
Lawmen say Clark told the detectives that he is the senior pastor at the Blessed Assurance Temple in Bartow.
Another suspect, Carl Kitchen, 72, told detectives he is a retired State Police Officer from Ontario, Canada.
"It never ceases to amaze me when professionals such as preachers and law enforcement officers are engaged in such outrageous behavior," Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said in a press release.
Details according to the police arrest report:
Matthew Preston Clark, DOB 6/28/78, of Bartow. During his conversation with the undercover detective, Clark told the detective 'what kind of activity' goes on at the park and described in graphic detail the sexual characteristics of another man he had met at the park. Clark asked the detective to perform a sex act on him (Clark). Clark was arrested and charged with Soliciting a Lewd Act. Clark told the detectives he is a pastor and is married.
Carl Robert Kitchen, DOB 12/9/39, of Lions Head, Ontario, Canada, whose part-time Polk County residence is in Fort Meade (current and former law enforcement officers addresses are exempt per FSS 119). Kitchen allegedly exposed himself to an undercover detective and asked the detective to perform a sex act on him (Kitchen). After his arrest, he allegedly told detectives he is a retired State Police Officer from Canada, where he served for 31 years. They say he told the detectives he is married, and vacations in Florida during the winter months. Kitchen was arrested and charged with Exposure of Sexual Organ, and Soliciting a Lewd Act.
Paul L. Wright, DOB 10/9/70, of Dade City. Wright allegedly asked an undercover detective to perform a sex act on him (Wright). After his arrest he allegedly told detectives that he works for Allied, Inc., and comes to the park on his lunch breaks to engage in sex acts with other men. He was arrested and charged with Soliciting a Lewd Act.
Roger Griffin, DOB 5/10/48, of Lakeland. Griffin allegedly exposed himself to an undercover detective and then asked the detective to perform a sex act on him (Griffin). Investigators say he told detectives he is married, disabled, and currently unemployed. He was arrested and charged with Exposure of Sexual Organ and Committing a Lewd Act.