A Florida pastor has been arrested following allegations that he sexually assaulted two juvenile victims. Yersson Solarte of Iglesia Pentecostal Unida Latinoamericana (IPUL) in Sanford has been charged with sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation.
Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of child sex abuse that some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
In a statement released on Thursday (May 8), the Sanford Police Department said that authorities received a report in April of “an inappropriate relationship between Solarte and two juvenile victims.”
“During the investigation it was determined Solarte…did create or attempt to create an inappropriate relationship with the victims, did inappropriately touch the victims, and sexually assaulted one of the victims,” the statement continued.
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The alleged abuse happened at the church.
According to The State, Solarte is accused of “forcefully” grabbing the face of one child to kiss her and molesting her in his office.
The child also alleged that Solarte told her during the assault that “we only live once” and that he and the victim were now “a couple.”
“Following these allegations, Solarte was removed from his role as Pastor. Both victims were members of Ipul Pentecostal Church,” police said. “As a result of the investigation, Sanford Police Investigators issued a warrant for Solarte’s arrest.”
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Solarte, 33, is reportedly a married father. He was arrested on May 7 in Virginia and was transported to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford.
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