St. Paul prostitution sting nets Prior Lake pastor

Updated: September 3, 2009 - 10:44 AM

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The pastor of a new church in Prior Lake that has cultivated both a physical and online presence was arrested Tuesday in an undercover prostitution sting on St. Paul's East Side.

The Rev. John K. Erbele, 35, was one of 16 "johns" arrested after they responded to an ad placed on the Internet, police spokesman Sgt. Paul Schnell said Wednesday.

The pastor was arrested about 3:45 p.m., and booked at the Ramsey County jail about an hour later on a charge of engaging in prostitution, jail records show.

Erbele did not respond to messages seeking comment Wednesday. He heads LifePrint Church, which conducts weekly services at Twin Oaks Middle School in Prior Lake, and also offers podcasts of sermons at www. lifeprintchurch.net.

St. Paul police have conducted multiple prostitution stings in the past two years, resulting in dozens of arrests.

ANTHONY LONETREE