Everett pastor arrested in teen prostitution sting

EVERETT, Wash. — A pastor of an Everett church is accused of trying to pay a teenage girl for sex.

Probable cause documents said 54-year-old John K. Lawlor responded to an online ad placed by a Seattle police vice detective posing as a 16-year-old girl.

Police said Lawlor believed he was chatting with the teen when he arranged to pay her $200 in exchange for sex.

Documents said Lawlor arranged to pick up the fictitious girl in the Northgate area Tuesday and then drive her to his home in Everett, court papers said.

When detectives found Lawlor sitting in his truck at the agreed location, he was arrested by officers who found $200 and condoms in his truck, police said.

Lawlor told officers he was a pastor at First Baptist Church in Everett.

KIRO