An Avon Pastor turned himself in Monday afternoon after having a sexual relationship with a person he was counseling.

Stearns County Sheriff Don Gudmundson says that 49-year-old Charles Pelkey of Avon was found to be having sexual relations with another parishioner during their counseling sessions. The person sought family counseling in 2012 and spiritual and religious counseling in 2017.

In March of 2017 is when the relationship started, and Pelkey would continue to provide  counseling during the relationship. Minnesota law prohibits members of clergy from performing sexual acts during such private counseling. Consent is not a form of defense.

Pelkey turned himself in to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office Monday and was booked on a charge of third degree criminal sexual conduct.