Abuse Report Brings Added Charge against Church Leader, Cara McCoy, Las Vegas Sun, July 13, 2009

Abuse Report Brings Added Charge against Church Leader

By Cara McCoy
Las Vegas Sun
July 13, 2009

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/13/abuse-report-brings-added-charge-against-church-le/

Benito Catello

More charges have been filed against a 75-year-old Las Vegas man who called himself a prophet and ran a church out of his home after another alleged juvenile victim reported sexual abuse to police.

Metro Police said Monday that an additional count of open and gross lewdness has been added to the 29 felony charges against Benito Catello after the alleged victim contacted authorities on Saturday.

Catello is the leader of The Ministry church, run out of his home near Owens Avenue and Mount Hood Street in northeast Las Vegas.

Other charges against Catello include sexual assault, sexual assault with a victim under 14 years of age and lewdness with a minor under 14 years of age.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about Catello -- including other possible victims -- to contact the Metro Crimes Against Youth and Family Bureau at 828-3421. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

According to arrest records, Catello hasn't denied the sexual encounters. He allegedly told police that if he did have sexual interactions with the minors, it was "because he was full of 'the spirit' and can't help what he does when he is full of the spirit."

Catello allegedly told police he is a prophet and that God speaks to the the minors through him, an arrest report indicated.

Catello remains in the Clark County Detention Center. He is scheduled to appear in court on the new charge on Wednesday.