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	Pastor Pleads Guilty to Sexually Assaulting 12-Year-Old Girl Newsday October 3, 2007 http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--pastorarrest1003oct03,0,4564722.story HARTFORD, Conn. - A former pastor faces up to 45 years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in his congregation who later bore a child. Modesto Reyes, 53, pleaded guilty under the Alford Doctrine in Hartford Superior Court to one count each of first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. The plea means he does not admit guilt, but concedes he would likely be convicted at trial. His attorney, William Gerace, said he advised his client to enter a regular guilty plea in hopes of getting a lesser sentence. DNA tests showed Reyes probably fathered the baby. Reyes, the former pastor of Iglesia De Dios, Cristo Te Llama in Hartford, is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 14 and faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 45 years in prison. He also will be required to register as a sex offender. Reyes "took a liking to the girl" and befriended her by bringing cakes and cookies to her home and "counseling" her, then later sexually assaulted her in a church van, Assistant State's Attorney Sandra Tullius said. He assaulted her on at least five other instances, telling her he had cardiac problems and that "his heart was hurting and that she was the only one who could assist him," Tullius said. Two DNA tests showed Reyes is the likely father of the girl's baby, a full-term infant born after the assaults in the summer and fall of 2005. Reyes requested a third DNA test this week, but withdrew the request Wednesday before entering his plea. He could have been sentenced to more than 200 years if convicted at trial of all charges against him. The girl and her family were notified of Wednesday's proceedings and chose not to attend, but might address the court when Reyes is sentenced, prosecutors said.
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