Cops: Cicero youth minister sexually assaulted 6 minors

By Regina Sobol
Chicago Tribune
April 9, 2014

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-cops-cicero-youth-minister-sexually-assaulted-6-minors-20140409,0,7889642.story

A former youth minister has been charged with sexually assaulting six minors at his apartment and at the Cicero church where he worked and his father is a pastor, police said today.

Juan David Ferreras, 43, worked at Sonido De Alabanza Church as a youth minister, photographer and teacher when he had sexual contact with at least six minors ranging in age from 9 to 17, according to town spokesman Ray Hanania.

Ferreras, of the 5700 block of West 35th Street in Cicero, is charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual assault, sexual exploitation of a child, indecent solicitation of a child, distribution of harmful material and battery, officials said. He was scheduled to appear in bond court today.

The attacks occurred in his apartment and in the church at 5510 W. 25th St. in Cicero, police said. Ferreras also ran youth retreats at two camps, one of them in Tsikilwa and the other in Ingleside, officials said.

Ferreras was dismissed by the church when allegations arose last month, police said.

Cicero Police Supt. Bernard Harrison said police are reaching out to identify more possible victims and are asking anyone with information to contact Deputy Police Supt. Jose Gonzalez at (708) 652-2130, Ext. 348.

At a news conference this morning, Gonzalez said Cicero police were contacted in March about Ferreras by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. A church official contacted the state agency after learning that youths were staying away from church activities because of “inappropriate touching” by Ferreras, Gonzales said.

The incidents date back five or six years, he said. All of the alleged victims are boys and members of the church. Police said they were examining electronic equipment they found in Ferreras’ possession for more evidence.

“He was a person who had a certain authority at the church,” Gonzalez said. “He gained the trust of the young boys. We think a couple of incidents occurred at the church. Some boys went to his apartment on several occasions.”

“We are here to help the victims,” Gonzalez said. “We ask parents to talk to their children, let them know what was going on and help them come forward. If other people are out there that need our help, we are asking them to come forward and help us.”

The church was closed this morning. A woman sweeping the steps of the two-story brick and stone building walked away when approached by a reporter.

Through a spokesman, the church issued a statement from senior pastor Esdras Ferreras, saying the church was cooperating in the investgation.

“(We) will pray for repentance and healing as Jesus commands us,” the statement said. “We stand and pray with the families and all victims at this time.”

The spokesman would provide no other information. The church was closed Wednesday morning. A woman sweeping the steps walked away when approached by a reporter.