Pastor Geronimo Aguilar of the Richmond Outreach Center "The ROC" faces two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14. There are two alleged victims, both now in their 20s.
The alleged crimes took place in 1996 and 1997 in Texas, reports the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The charges are felonies in Texas and could carry five and 99 years in prison as well as up to a $10,000 fine if Aguilar is convicted.
Pastor Aguilar founded the Richmond Outreach Center in 2001. It quickly caught on and was even named one of the fastest growing churches in America.
Source: Virginia Pastor Geronimo Aguilar Arrested On Child Sex Charges
Aguilar left Texas and went on to found one of the fastest growing churches in America. It is estimated that membership at the ROC tops 11,000.
Since his arrested, Aguilar has stepped down from The ROC, but is doing so in style. He's on paid leave. His salary is $94,120 with an additional $35,233 coming from other church related sources. Tough life…
Aguilar faced a sexual misconduct complaint in Richmond a few years ago, but no charges were filed. Additional complaints are under investigation in California. One of the alleged victims described the incident.
On May 6, another adult woman told 8News that when Aguilar was second pastor at her church in California, he snuck into her bedroom, touched her feet to wake her up and encouraged her to come outside with him. We have chosen to keep her identity hidden.
She says she was a young teen at the time of the incident. "Geronimo was flirtatious with me and woke me up that night when I spent the night and asked me to sneak outside with him," the alleged victim told 8News.
"He let me know he was on the verge of divorce with his previous wife and that he was interested in me and had a crush on me one thing led to another we ended up in a park by the home my sister lived in. He pursued me, I went with it and we had intercourse in the park. I was 15 years old and he was 21," the woman said.
Source: Update: New Allegations Agains The ROC Church Pastor
Geronimo Aguilar faces life in prison in Texas. That's going to suck.
***Update: Geronimo Aguilar is Phillip Aguilar's son. Any doubt I had that Geronimo is dirty is gone. His dad was and is a gangster who ran Set Free Ministries. A Christian biker gang in Southern California. You can read more here.
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John B · 620 weeks ago
It's not that I think it doesn't happen, I didn't realize that it is a regular occurrence -- even though it is still a minute number of the whole pastoral community.
Anyway, I wanted to say, as a Christian, I think these people should be held up to public view. Clergy are to be held to a higher standard, and so says the Bible. And while I think you're wrong about what seems to be your overall conclusion about Christianity, and religion in general, this good to post. It should be corrected, not hidden.
Cheers
Mojoey 107p · 620 weeks ago
As for Christianity as a whole. I judge by what the members do, and the members often disappoint. Just look at the whole conservative political movement. It has nothing to do with the message of Christ but wraps itself all up in Christianity. It's despicable.
truthinreligionandpolitics 1p · 620 weeks ago
But youre right, many Christians are not living what most people would consider a "Christian life".
Mojoey 107p · 620 weeks ago
Randolph Brown · 616 weeks ago
Secondly, parents have a responsibility to always be aware of the people who are influencing their children's lives. Pastors or anyone in position of authority or leadership positions, should be held accountable and should not serve with a selfish heart, but always with a humble heart.
trugh be known · 606 weeks ago
Jason · 578 weeks ago
Mojoey 107p · 578 weeks ago
Seriously now, Christianity is flawed because Christianity is made up. Aguilar is just a bad actor in a corrupt play.