Authorities continue to investigate a Florida pastor for sexual abuse allegations. Pheguel Pierre Louis of Evangelical Church of the New Jerusalem in Riviera Beach apparently continues to preach despite a previous battery conviction.
Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of sexual abuse, which some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
Pierre Louis, 40, was arrested in August 2023 after a 23-year-old church member accused him of sexually assaulting her. According to The Palm Beach Post, the woman alleged that Pierre Louis came over to her residence saying that he had a disturbing dream about her and needed to pray for her.
The woman alleges that Pierre Louis then instructed her to undress, applied oil to her body, and sexually assaulted her with his hands. Pierre Louis maintains that he only “laid hands” on her forehead to pray for her.
RELATED: City Councilor, Former Family Minister, Charged With Stealing From CT Church
Pierre Louis spent eight days in custody before being released on bond. He later pleaded guilty to one felony battery charge.
As part of the plea agreement, the judge withheld adjudication, meaning that Pierre Louis is not considered a convicted felon and was not required to register as a sex offender. He was sentenced to five years probation, 150 hours of community service, and mandatory psychosexual evaluation and treatment.
Now investigators believe they have identified a second victim, who is the sister of the previous victim and who has alleged that Pierre Louis assaulted her in a similar fashion in the spring of 2022.
In a statement released on Oct. 10, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) said that its special victims unit is “seeking to speak with potential victims” who attend Evangelical Church of the New Jerusalem or have attended in the past.
RELATED: Kenosha Pastor Re-Arrested at Hearing for Another Allegation of Stealing an ‘Intimate’ Photo
The PBSO said that in light of a second victim coming forward, “detectives want to talk with anyone who may have information regarding the pastor or similar incidents.”
