A deacon and former Catholic schoolteacher was arrested on Wednesday, August 5 and charged with two counts of sexual solicitation of a minor after he arrived at a house believing he was going to meet a 15-year-old boy.
“Yesterday afternoon, a member of our community was arrested and charged with two counts of solicitation of a minor,” said an August 6 statement from Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler. Harford County is located north-east of Baltimore, Maryland.
Gahler continued: “The suspect, Kenneth Goedeke, 45, of Bel Air, was taken into custody by deputies after communicating with an undercover detective whom he believed to be a 15-year-old boy, and then arriving at a location to engage in sexual activity with the child.”
The Archdiocese of Baltimore confirmed in a Thursday statement that it had been informed of Goedeke’s arrest and that he had begun working at a church in Hickory, Maryland, in July. Goedeke had previously worked at an independent Catholic high school in Maryland from 2020 to 2026, the archdiocese said.
He was ordained a deacon in 2023 and had worked at several parishes in the archdiocese between 2005 and 2026.
“According to communications from law enforcement officials, these charges are not related to anyone at the parishes or schools where he served,” the archdiocese said.
Goedeke had passed a “thorough employment screening, which included FBI/CJIS fingerprint criminal history check, and a comprehensive background and reference check” before he was employed by the Archdiocese of Baltimore and before his enrolment as a deacon candidate, the statement said.
Goedeke has had his faculties removed and has been suspended from ministry and employment pending the investigation.
In an emotional statement, Sheriff Gahler expressed anger that someone in Goedeke’s position would allegedly attempt to solicit a child and encouraged anyone else who may have been a victim to come forward.
“I am angry, disgusted, and deeply thankful,” he said.
“Angry that someone in a position of trust attempted to victimize a child. Disgusted that any adult would ever consider exploiting a child in such a vile and predatory way. And thankful that our detectives acted decisively, intervening before a child was harmed and ensuring that this predator was stopped before he could carry out his intentions.”
Gahler noted that during his 40 years in law enforcement, “I have seen the tragic reality that by the time a predator is caught, there are often other victims who have suffered in silence. That reality fuels my anger and strengthens my determination to make sure no victim is ever left unheard.”
Speaking directly to those who have been victimised by this sort of crime and their families, Gahler said: “You are not alone. Your safety, your dignity, and your voice are our priority.”
The county has established a dedicated tip line for anyone with information about the case.
“I also urge parents and caregivers to talk openly with their children, not only about this case, but about the broader dangers posed by trusted adults who misuse their positions and by online predators who target our youth,” Gahler said.
