A Florida pastor is facing allegations of sexually assaulting two underage girls at a church in Florida, with chilling details emerging about the case. Yersson Solarte, 33, has been accused of sexual battery of a minor and lewd and lascivious molestation following his arrest by the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia on Wednesday, May 7, in collaboration with Florida’s Sanford Police Department (SPD). The pastor allegedly provided a disturbing rationale for his actions, reportedly telling one victim, “We only live once,” as per The Miami Herald.
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Authorities were alerted to reports of an inappropriate relationship between Solarte and the two young victims on April 10, prompting an investigation by the SPD. It was revealed that the pastor had allegedly touched the victims inappropriately and sexually assaulted one of them at the Ipul Pentecostal Church in Sanford, where both girls were members. In response to the allegations, Solarte has been relieved of his duties at the church, although his name still appears on the church’s website at the time of this report.
According to an affidavit cited by The Miami Herald, one of the girls disclosed incidents involving Solarte, where she claimed he made advances towards her in his office and the church’s multimedia room. The second victim reported multiple instances of abuse, stating that the pastor professed his love for her, hugged her sister to incite jealousy, and engaged in inappropriate physical contact. Shockingly, the girl recounted an incident where Solarte allegedly declared them as a “couple” after unzipping his pants, indicating a disturbing pattern of behaviour.
Furthermore, the girl revealed that the pastor attempted to justify his actions by telling her, “We only live once,” as detailed in the Herald. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information or who may have been victimised by Solarte to come forward, expressing concerns that there could be more victims yet to be identified. Chief Cecil Smith emphasised the seriousness of the allegations, condemning those who exploit positions of trust to harm others and reassuring the public that Solarte is in custody. The pastor is currently being held at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Florida.
In light of the disturbing nature of the accusations, it is essential to raise awareness about the resources available to address child abuse. Individuals who suspect child abuse can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or visit www.childhelp.org for support. Additionally, victims of sexual abuse can access crisis intervention services by texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, connecting them to certified crisis counsellors. It is crucial to prioritise the well-being and safety of children by creating a safe environment for reporting abuse and seeking help.
As the investigation into this case unfolds, it underscores the importance of vigilance and prompt action to protect vulnerable individuals from potential harm. The allegations against Solarte serve as a stark reminder of the need for robust safeguarding measures within institutions like churches to prevent such incidents from occurring. Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information related to the case to come forward, emphasising the significance of collective efforts in ensuring justice and accountability.