Former LexCity Executive Pastor Zachary King Pleads Guilty to Seven Felony Sex Crime Counts

Former LexCity executive pastor Zachary King admits to seven felonies in Fayette Circuit Court, facing a 13 year sentence for crimes against a minor.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 8:55 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WEKU

A Breach of Spiritual and Community Trust

The legal proceedings against Zachary King reached a critical milestone in Fayette Circuit Court as the former executive pastor of LexCity Church admitted to a series of high level felonies. King entered guilty pleas to seven distinct counts, including first degree rape and sodomy, which are classified as Class B felonies in the Commonwealth. The admission of guilt brings a formal conclusion to a case that has deeply affected the local congregation where the abuse occurred, marking a significant fall for a man who once held a position of significant spiritual authority within the community.

The Scope of the Criminal Investigation

The convictions are the result of an intensive investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations with the cooperation of the Lexington Police Department. According to details released by the Office of the Attorney General, the victim was a minor who attended the church where King was employed at the time the offenses took place. The indictment, which was originally handed down by a grand jury in August 2024, detailed multiple instances of abuse, including specific incidents where King used physical restraint to facilitate the crimes.

Terms of the Recommended Plea Agreement

As part of the negotiated settlement with prosecutors, King is set to receive a recommended prison term of 13 years for his actions. Beyond the period of incarceration, the agreement mandates that King must register as a lifetime sex offender, a permanent designation that will restrict his movements and employment opportunities indefinitely. Attorney General Russell Coleman characterized the case as a heartbreaking abuse of a position of trust, emphasizing that the legal outcome is a necessary step in protecting other Kentuckians from similar predatory behavior.