News

Actions

Buddhist monk arrested, charged with sexual battery of teen in Nashville

Posted
and last updated

A monk at the Lao Xaoput Buddhist Temple in Nashville was arrested and charged with sexual battery.

Metro Nashville Police arrested 57-year-old Sayasith Sitthipanyo for allegedly having unlawful physical contact and viewing pornography with a 15-year-old male between February and May at the temple, where Sitthipanyo also lives.

Police say he began paying the victim last year for work around the temple.

He was charged with seven counts of sexual battery by an authority figure and eight counts of displaying sex acts to a minor 13 or older.

Youth Services detectives conducted the investigation that led to Sitthipanyo’s arrest. He is being held in lieu of $220,000 bond.

 

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Sunday

06/07/2026

Mostly Clear

-° / 62°

0%

Monday

06/08/2026

Mostly Clear

91° / 64°

1%

Tuesday

06/09/2026

Clear

89° / 66°

1%

Wednesday

06/10/2026

Clear

95° / 72°

0%

Thursday

06/11/2026

Clear

104° / 75°

0%

Friday

06/12/2026

Clear

105° / 75°

0%

Saturday

06/13/2026

Clear

104° / 73°

0%

Sunday

06/14/2026

Clear

104° / 72°

0%