Priest Accused Of Jogging Nude Now On Leave

FREDERICK, Colo. -- A Catholic priest facing an indecent exposure charge after police said he went jogging in the nude about an hour before sunrise was placed on administrative leave Thursday.

The Rev. Robert Whipkey told officers he had been running naked at the Frederick High School track and didn't think anyone would be around at that time of day, a police report said.

He told officers he sweats profusely if he wears clothing while jogging. "I'm a heavy man, and wearing clothing while running makes me sweat profusely," Whipkey was quoted as saying in the police report. "I know what I did was wrong," he said in the report.

In a statement, the Archdiocese of Denver said Whipkey previously was investigated for "inappropriate personal behavior" more than eight years ago when he was the pastor of St. Anthony's Parish in Sterling, Colo.

Details were not released by the archdiocese, but a 7NEWS viewer said six families left St. Anthony's in Sterling after Whipkey allegedly gave nude "sex talks" to 11-year-old boys while on a three-day camping trip.

"Father Whipkey's conduct eight years ago did not involve any physical or sexual contact with another individual," the archdiocese said in a statement, adding the behavior was reported to authorities.

No charges were filed and Whipkey entered therapy. No other complaints from parishioners had been filed since, the archdiocese said.

Robyn Ciaravola, who lives across the street from Whipkey’s home at the St. Theresa rectory in Frederick, told the Longmnt Times-Call that she has often seen Whipkey walking around naked through a window of his home during the three years she’s lived in the house.

"All of his drapes are always open, and he’s basically nude in the house," she said. "I have no problem with what someone does in his house, but he should close the drapes."

Whipkey did not return phone messages. His attorney, Doug Tisdale, told the Times-Call that Whipkey had no comment.

Les Onorato is a parishioner at St. Theresa's Catholic Church where Rev. Whipkey officiates. "And he's a very very nice gentleman. I wouldn't think anything like this of him," said Onorato.

Whipkey, 53, was arrested June 22 in this small town about 20 miles north of Denver. An officer said he saw a naked man walking down the street at 4:35 a.m. The U.S. Naval Observatory Web site said sunrise that day in Frederick was 5:31 a.m.

The officer said when he shined his flashlight at the man, he covered himself with a piece of clothing he was carrying.

Some residents are disturbed by the report.

"We have a lot of kids in this neighborhood, so I find it kind of disrespectful," said Frederick resident Sean Smith.

"And a man in his position, it surprises me. You can buy a pair of boxers that are pretty thin to help you with that. So, I really don't buy that story," said Smith.

According to the report, Whipkey also told officers this was the first time he had gone jogging in public without wearing any clothes.

The Archdiocese of Denver said it takes the incident seriously but is awaiting the outcome of the case. Whipkey also officiates at parishes in the nearby towns of Mead and Erie.

If convicted of indecent exposure, a misdemeanor, he would have to register as a sex offender, prosecutors said. He could also face up to 18 months in jail.

It was not clear why the June incident was not reported by the newspaper until this week. The Archdiocese learned of incident a week after it happened.

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