‘Pastor G,’ Indicted on Child Sex Charges, to Speak at Richmond Church on Good Friday

WRIC
April 01, 2014

http://www.wric.com/story/25135632/pastor-g-indicted-on-child-sex-charges-to-speak-at-richmond-church-on-good-friday

Geronimo “Pastor G” Aguilar

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -

Geronimo “Pastor G” Aguilar, the former head pastor of the Richmond Outreach Center who has been indicted on multiple counts, including aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, is one of seven religious leaders scheduled to speak at Cedar Street Baptist Church of God on Good Friday.

COMPLETE COVERAGE: ROC ‘Pastor G’ Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Dr. Anthony M. Chandler Sr., the pastor of Cedar Street Baptist Church of God, is hosting “Rush Hour to Calvary” on Friday, April 18. According to the event flyer, Aguilar and six other ministers will preach about seven sayings for seven minutes each.

Pastor G seems an unlikely member of the panel. In April 2013, ABC 8News Anchor/Investigative Reporter Kerri O’Brien broke the story that while he was leading the ROC, Aguilar was under investigation in California and Texas for sexual misconduct.

In May 2013, Aguilar, 43, was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl and her 13-year-old sister while he was their youth pastor in Fort Worth, Texas in 1996 and 1997. In September 2013, a grand jury indicted him on two counts of aggravated sexual assault in the case involving the younger sister.

ROC’s ‘Pastor G’ Indicted in Second Case of Sexual Assault of Child

In January 2014, Aguilar was indicted by a grand jury in Tarrant County, Texas on eight counts pertaining to the case involving the older sister: two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, three counts of sexual assault of a child under 17 and three counts of indecency with a child. The first two counts are first-degree felonies that carry a maximum punishment of life in prison. The latter six are second-degree felonies punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison.

The ROC continued to grant Aguilar severance pay and allowed him to live in its parsonage through December 2013.

Pastor G’s expected Good Friday appearance isn’t sitting well with some of the men who will share the pulpit at Cedar Street Baptist Church of God. Pastor Emory Berry told ABC 8News he was unaware that Pastor G was on the bill. Others on the panel, who wish to remain anonymous, are also shocked and say they don’t want to be associated with Aguilar.

Pastor G’s Attorney Charged with Domestic Assault

Though Aguilar has not been convicted of the crimes on which he has been indicted and may speak where he likes while free on a $200,000 bond pending trial in Texas, his scheduled appearance in Richmond is raising serious questions.

ABC 8News contacted Dr. Chandler about Pastor G’s involvement in the event, but was told he and other church leaders were unavailable.

Cedar Street Baptist Church of God is located at 2301 Cedar St., Richmond, VA 23223. “Rush Hour to Calvary” begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 18.

Stay with ABC 8News on air, online and on the go for updates on this developing story as they become available.