JEFFERSON COUNTY — A 70-year-old former pastor and victim of a blackmail plot in Jefferson County has been arrested on a warrant charging him with solicitation of sex.

Dennis A. Myers, of Opdyke, now the former pastor of Howard Chapel, was arrested earlier this week on a misdemeanor charge of solicitation of a sexual act. Myers was released from the Jefferson County Jail after posting $500 cash bond.

On September 5, 24-year-old Nicholas P. Duncan pleaded guilty in Jefferson County Court to two Class 3 felony counts of intimidation, was sentenced to 18-months probation, and ordered to pay nearly $7,000 in restitution to a victim — now identified as Myers — for twice extorting money from him with threats of making false child pornography accusations against him.

Then on September 19 the Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s Office opened a case against Myers and issuing a warrant for his arrest on a charge of solicitation. Sheriff’s deputies served the warrant last week.

Following his arrest last week Myers resigned his position with Howard Chapel. A future court date on the charge against Myers has not yet been published.