Sayasith Sitthipanyo, a 58-year-old Nashville Monk at the Wat Lao Xaoput Buddhist Temple, now faces 22 felony charges after he was arrested in June and charged with several counts of sexual battery by an authority figure and displaying sex acts to a minor, who was a then 16-year-old boy who the monk sometimes paid for work around the temple.
Earlier this month, the Grand Jury was presented the case, and 8 new charges were returned against the Monk, for a total of 22 felony counts he must now face.
Sayasith Sitthipanyo now faces 6 counts of sexual battery by an authority figure, 8 counts of displaying sex acts to a minor, and the 8 new counts of inducing sexual activity by a minor.
The now 58-year-old monk is alleged to have had physical contact and viewed pornography with a 15-year-old male between February and June of 2018 at the temple, 14131 Old Hickory Boulevard, where Sitthipanyo also lived. He remains in jail in lieu of $220,000 bond.
