Local pastor charged with attempting to solicit sex from a minor

(WXYZ) - The Lake Orion pastor accused of soliciting a minor for sex - will remain behind bars for now.

A federal court judge ruled William Bendert will be detained pending trial.

Undercover FBI agents arrested William Bendert, pastor of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Lake Orion. 

The agents posing as the mother of an 11-year-old girl, made contact with the 51-year-old on the internet, through a chat room.

Agents say Bendert was offering to "sexually train"  the 11-year-old, and would meet both the mother and daughter at the Red Roof Inn on Rochester Road  in Troy.   

Bendert was arrested after arriving at the location. Federal agents found sex toys and rope in the trunk of Bendert's car.

According to prosecutors, Bendert made several admissions and said he knew what he was doing was wrong and told agents he wouldn't want someone doing this to his daughter.

He was charged Wednesday afternoon in the U.S. District Court in Detroit.

Bendert is married and has a 19-year-old daughter. He's on administrative leave from the church.

There were supporters in the courtroom Wednesday, but no one wanted to comment.

His attorney David Burgess requested Bendert receive a psychological evaluation. Bendert has no criminal history.
 

If convicted he could face10 years to life in prison.