Bel Air deacon, former Catholic school teacher charged with soliciting minor

A Catholic deacon from Harford County who previously taught at an all-boys prep school in Towson has been charged with two counts of sexual solicitation of a minor, authorities said.

Kenneth Goedeke, 45, was arrested Wednesday by Harford County deputies after he allegedly drove to meet an officer posing as a 15-year-old boy named Aiden, according to charging documents.

Harford County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Cristie Hopkins confirmed that the arrest was part of a partnership with Chris Hansen, of “To Catch a Predator” reality show fame. In May, Harford County deputies arrested longtime Baltimore educator Dennis Jutras in a similar sting operation that appeared on a YouTube channel where Hansen accompanied officers to the arrest and confronted Jutras in a sit-down interview.

Hopkins said the sheriff’s office felt it was important to quickly release information about Goedeke’s arrest “to begin the process of identifying any potential additional victims and pursuing related investigative leads given his longstanding roles in the community and the level of trust placed in him, especially in positions involving children.”

It’s unclear if Goedeke has retained an attorney. District Judge Tracey Delp on Thursday ordered him to be held without bond.

Goedeke, a deacon ordained in 2023, taught religion for eight years at the all-boys Calvert Hall College High School in Towson. He most recently taught students at the John Carroll School in Bel Air, from which he departed in February.

According to the charging documents, an officer was using the Aiden persona on a hookup site when Goedeke reached out to him. When the officer asked Goedeke if he was OK with a “younger guy,” Goedeke sent back a picture of an erect male penis, and when “Aiden” said he was 15 and stays home alone during his mother’s 12-hour shifts, Goedeke responded, “nice,” the documents state.

In a statement, the Archdiocese of Baltimore said Goedeke started working at St. Ignatius, Hickory Catholic Church in Forest Hill this past July.

The charging documents list Goedeke’s occupation as “director of evangelization.” Goedeke told officers he was working out of his St. Ignatius office when he messaged “Aiden,” according to those documents.

“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. “Pursuant to Archdiocesan policy, the Archdiocese removed Goedeke’s faculties to function as a deacon and suspended him from ministry and employment, pending the results of a full investigation.”

At Calvert Hall College High School, Goedeke received an award as an educator who exemplifies the ideals of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the patron saint of teachers of children and youth. Survivors of alleged sexual abuse have previously claimed staff at the school “repeatedly ignored credible reports of sexual abuse” for decades.

Goedeke voluntarily left Calvert Hall in 2020 and no allegations have been made against him during his time there, said Danielle Hladky, a school representative.

The Archdiocese said Goedeke worked at the John Carroll School, a Catholic high school, from 2020 until 2026. He was “well liked and respected,” according to a past news release.

When Goedeke departed the school earlier this year, community members started a GoFundMe page — which has since been taken down — to support him “during transition.” The fundraiser said he was a dedicated deacon who “served our school community with 100% commitment and genuine care for others that has made him a beloved figure at our school.”

In an emailed statement, Chief Advancement Officer Amy Novak said Goedeke has not been employed at John Carroll since mid-February and no longer has any ties to the school.

“While the School cannot comment on an active law enforcement case, the allegations against former employee Deacon Ken Goedeke are deeply concerning and directly conflict with The John Carroll School’s values and mission,” she said. “The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority. The John Carroll School has thorough policies and safeguarding protocols in place to protect our students.”

According to the charging documents, Goedeke spoke on the phone with a Harford County Sheriff’s Office employee posing as Aiden, and the two discussed sexual acts that would be performed at their meet-up in Abingdon. After “Aiden” said he was getting in the shower, Goedeke requested photos, according to the documents.

Goedeke pulled up to the provided apartment address just before 2 p.m., the agreed-upon meeting time. He sat in his car for several moments before starting to drive away. He was stopped in a Walmart parking lot and arrested, according to the documents.

Goedeke’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 4.

Baltimore Banner reporter Sahana Jayaraman contributed to this report.

About the Education Hub

This reporting is part of The Banner’s Education Hub, community-funded journalism that provides parents with resources they need to make decisions about how their children learn. Read more.