By Madeline Buckley
Brownsville Herald
October 18, 2011
www.brownsvilleherald.com/articles/accusations-132560-accused-people.html
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Two more people have accused a man — reportedly a church youth group leader — of sexual assault, Brownsville Police spokesman Jose Trevino said.
Eustacio Munioz, 65, also known as Horacio Muniz, was arrested last week and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. Trevino said at the time that a man, now 22, filed a report that alleged that Munioz began sexually assaulting him in 2003 when he was a minor.
Munioz was in charge of religious and missionary classes at a local Mormon church, according to the affidavit for warrant of arrest.
Trevino said police are still investigating the allegations of the two additional complainants and declined to release information about the cases. Munioz is not facing any new charges.
"Police believe there are more victims, and are asking anyone with information to please come forward," Trevino said last week.
The first man who came forward told police he was 7 years old when he met Munioz at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 114 E. Price Road, the affidavit said. The man said Munioz first abused him at a room in the church when he was 14 years old. The warrant said Munioz gave him $5 and told him not to tell anyone.
The man told police the abuse continued until he was 20 years old, according to the affidavit. Munioz threatened to report that the alleged victim was in the country illegally if he didn't cooperate, the document said.
A spokesman for the Mormon church in Salt Lake City said in a statement that church leaders are still trying to learn about the reports.
"At this point, very little is known about this case, including whether this individual was a member of the church. We will continue to cooperate with local law enforcement officials as they investigate this matter," said Eric Hawkins, a media relations official for the church.
Hawkins said the church has zero tolerance for abuse.
"[The church] works diligently to prevent abuse and provide support and assistance to victims of abuse," he said.
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