BishopAccountability.org
	Prosecutor: Pastor, Congregant Forced Teens to Videotape Sex at Linden Motel By Joshua Burd Mycentraljersey.com May 20, 2010 http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20100519/NEWS/5190346/-1/newsfront A Middlesex County woman and the pastor of her Newark church face charges after authorities say they forced three teenage girls to videotape them while they engaged in sexual acts at a Linden motel. Brenda Pabon, 37, and the pastor, 55-year-old Moises Cotto of East Orange, are charged with three counts each of kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a minor. Cotto is also charged with the attempted aggravated sexual assault of one of the victims. Investigators found that an affair between Pabon and Cotto, who presides over Congregation Yahweh on Chester Avenue, began in 2008 after she sought counseling from the pastor, Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow said. When the relationship become sexual, the two allegedly would meet at the Benedict Motel on Routes 1 and 9 in Linden. While at the motel, they forced two teenage girls to videotape them engaged in sexual acts several times a week, Romankow said. On several occasions they allegedly forced at least one girl to undress and pose in pictures with the pastor. Authorities also learned that during at least one of the meetings at the motel, Cotto tried to sexually assault one of the girls, who resisted, Romankow said. The alleged abuse continued until about two weeks ago, when one of the alleged victims alerted a parent, Romankow said. An investigation began, and Cotto was arrested at his home on Monday. Cotto was being held at the Union County Jail in lieu of $1.3 million bail, Romankow said. Pabon was being held in lieu of $750,000 bail after surrendering to authorities on Tuesday. Romankow's office declined to identify the hometown of Pabon. The office also withheld details about the teenage girls, citing the need to protect their identities. Cotto is also affiliated with Yahweh Congregations in Jersey City and Paterson. The investigation was conducted by Detective Patricia Gusmano of the Union County Prosecutor's Office and Linden police Detective Daniel Sadowski.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.