FREDERICK, Colo. -- A Catholic priest facing a possible indecent exposure charge after he went jogging in the nude was placed on administrative leave Thursday, reported KMGH-TV in Denver.

The Rev. Robert Whipkey told officers he had been running naked about an hour before sunrise 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."

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. Details were not released.

"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 that the behavior was reported to authorities.

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

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

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

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 (the heat). So, I really don't buy that story," said Smith.

Whipkey also advised officers that this had been the first time he had went walking and 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, who also officiates at parishes in the nearby towns of Mead and Erie, remains an active priest.

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.