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	Pastor Faces Sex Offense Charges By Julie Oconnor Star Ledger May 20, 2010 http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/jerseycity/index.ssf?/base/news-10/127433672875150.xml&coll=3 At the Newark church where his congregants dress all in white, he was known as a husband, father and respected pastor for more than 20 years. But, authorities say, Moises Cotto, the 55-year-old pastor, had been meeting for the past two years with a female congregant at a motel in Linden where the pair had sex - and forced two teenage girls to videotape them in the act. Cotto, who is also affiliated with Yahweh Congregations in Jersey City and Paterson, was arrested at his apartment in East Orange on Monday night, and charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, attempted aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a minor. His parishioner, Brenda Pabon, 37, of Middlesex County, has been charged with kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a minor. Prosecutors say they have significant physical evidence that corroborates the victims' allegations. Cotto's sexual affair began with Pabon after she sought counseling from the pastor, authorities said. The pair met at the Benedict Motel on Routes 1&9 in Linden, where they allegedly forced two teenage girls to videotape them engaged in sexual acts, and several times instructed at least one girl to undress and pose for photos with Cotto. During at least one of their weekly meetings at the motel, the pastor was accused of attempting to sexually assault one of the girls, who resisted, authorities said. The motel meetings continued until about two weeks ago, when one of the teenage victims reported the abuse to a parent, Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow said. Cotto was being held at the Union County Jail on $1.3 million bail, authorities said. Yesterday, A. Diaz, the assistant pastor of the Newark church, Yahweh Templo El Candelero, said he is convinced Cotto is innocent.
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