By Jack Noyes
NBC Los Angeles
September 10, 2010
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/LAPD-Alleges-Pastor-Abused-Child-102605654.html
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Late Thursday night the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) issued a news release that "Abused Child Unit Detectives have arrested 44-year-old Leonel Pelayo, a resident of Carson, and church pastor, for the sexual assault of an underage girl.
"Investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet reported being victimized by Pelayo, and Detectives are hoping any additional victims will come forward.
"On September 9, 2010, at around 1 p.m., Juvenile and Fugitive Task Force Detectives arrested Pelayo for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The pastor befriended the victim in a church youth group and took her to several vacant locations where he sexually assaulted her. Pelayo owns properties in areas thoroughout the City and County of Los Angeles and possibly used some of the locations to commit his crimes. The sexual assaults took place over a period of several months.
"Pelayo is a Church Pastor of a local church on 99th Street and Vermont Avenue in the South Los Angeles area," the release noted. Police did not name the church.
"The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has filed multiple charges of Lewd Acts with a Child against Pelayo and he is being held on $140,000 bail.
"Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Los Angeles Police Department Abuse Child Unit, Juvenile Detectives at (213) 486-0570. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts," the news release concluded.
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