The former rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines has pled guilty to indecent exposure and entered a prayer for judgment before a North Carolina magistrate this week

The former rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines has pled guilty to indecent exposure and entered a prayer for judgment before a North Carolina magistrate this week. On 3 Oct 2014 the Rev. John Tampa (62) and a 79 year old man were arrested by a Southern Pines police officer after he observed the two engage in a sexual act in a public park. Fr. Tampa and the other man were charged with indecent exposure. After meeting with the Bishop of North Carolina, the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, Fr. Tampa met with his vestry and tendered his resignation on 14 Oct 2014. Under North Carolina’s criminal code, a prayer for judgment allows a defendant to enter a guilty plea without a plea being entered against him, and does not subsequently appear on an individual’s criminal record. Fr Tampa was fined $200 and cautioned by the court.  A 1998 graduate of the Virginia Theological Seminary, Fr. Tampa is a married father of three adult children. He previously served as curate at St David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, Pa and as rector of St. Peter’s Church in Great Valley, Pa., from 1999 to 2006 before being called to Emmanuel Church. He is currently a non-parochial priest of the diocese of North Carolina.