Seminole County Pastor Avoids Jail Time in Parishioner's Sex Abuse Cover-up

WFTV
June 17, 2015

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/seminole-county-pastor-avoids-jail-time-parishione/nmfdp/

[with video]

Cesar Chin

Channel 9's Tim Barber was in court Wednesday where a Winter Springs pastor dodged up to five years in prison.

Deputies said the Rev. Cesar Chin accepted a plea deal after investigators said he covered up years of sexual abuse by one of his church members.

"Mr. Chin will withdraw his previously entered plea of not guilty and enter a plea of guilty," Chin's defense attorney said in court.

Chone admitted to covering up the sexual abuse, but he will not serve prison time.

Deputies said Chin knew for more than a year that one of his church members was sexually abusing several kids. Instead of calling 911, the pastor tried counseling the member, authorities said.

Prosecutors said Chin "encouraged a strict regimen of prayer and fasting to cure the sexual abuse that was going on."

Detectives said Chin did not come forward until a pastor from another congregation forced him to.

On Wednesday, Chin accepted two years of supervised probation, community service and an order demanding the pastor write each victim a letter of apology.

Chin has 30 days to appeal the sentence. The case for suspect in the sexual abuse case is expected to go to court over the summer.