McCracken man charged with grooming juvenile while he was youth pastor

A McCracken County man was arrested Friday after a weeks-long investigation into grooming a juvenile and other criminal allegations.

The McCracken County Sheriff's office said that starting at the end of August, detectives have been investigating allegations that a 15-year-old juvenile female had been subjected to sexually explicit messaging from 37-year-old Jared Denney. Denney was a youth pastor at a church in McCracken County that is attended by the juvenile.

As defined by Kentucky statutes, a youth pastor is considered to be a position of special trust. 

Denney was lodged at the McCracken County Regional Jail, charged with grooming, procuring or promoting use of a minor by electronic means, and distribution of obscene matter to a minor.

(Photo McCracken County Sheriff)