Roc Executive Pastor Removes Himself from Duties Due to Charges

By Laura Geller
NBC 12
May 28, 2013

http://www.nbc12.com/story/22436476/roc-executive-pastor-removes-himself-from-duties-due-to-charges

The Executive Pastor of the Richmond Outreach Center will no longer be conducting his pastoral duties while he deals with a criminal case.

Pastor Jason Helmlinger voluntarily removed himself from his responsibilities, the Board of Directors of the ROC announced Tuesday. The board says he will not conduct any pastoral duties until a criminal case involving threatening phone calls has been resolved. Helmlinger will also seek counseling regarding this issue.

Helmlinger was arrested earlier this month on one misdemeanor count of with using profanity over a public airway. He allegedly called former ROC member Allen Caldwell and threatened him, according to a Richmond Police source.

Helmlinger was released on summons and is set to appear in court June 3.

This case is separate from an ongoing scandal involving another ROC pastor, Geronimo Aguilar.

Aguilar, also known as Pastor G, temporarily stepped down from his positions as President of the Board and Pastor at the Richmond Outreach Center due to child sexual abuse charges last week. He is on a paid leave of absence, according to the statement.

He remains in Texas where he was charged Aguilar with seven felony counts in two child sex abuse cases. The cases involve claims by two women dating back to 1996. Four of the counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child under 14, are first degree felonies that could carry life in prison.

Aguilar's attorney says his client is innocent.