Pastor Arrested In Undercover Sting

By First Coast News Staff

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A First Coast pastor is out of jail on $1,500 bail after police say he offered an undercover officer money for sex.

Doyle Harper is accused of soliciting sex on Main Street. Police say Harper identified himself as pastor of Garden View Baptist Church. He was held in jail for one night.

Investigators say Harper, who lives within a few miles of the church, was circling the area of Main Street North in the 7300 block several times. The report says he finally stopped and made eye contact with a woman posing as a prostitute.

Police say Harper motioned for the woman to come over. When she did, police say she asked Harper -- who remained in his Ford Taurus -- what he wanted. Police say Harper told he her wanted oral sex.

Police say when he offered the woman $20 for it, the woman -- who turned out to be an undercover police officer -- arrested Harper. The officer did record the entire encounter.

According to the police report, Harper has been pastor at the church for more than eight years. He also lists himself as married.

Harper declined to make a statement after his arrest.

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