SENTENCING Begins Monday in Texas for Geronimo ‘pastor G’ Aguilar

By Kerri O'Brien
WRIC
October 8, 2015

http://wric.com/2015/10/09/sentencing-begins-monday-in-texas-for-geronimo-pastor-g-aguilar/

[with video]

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Sentencing begins Monday for a former Richmond mega church Pastor convicted of child sex assault.

8News was first to break the allegations of child sex abuse on April 28, 2013 during a protest outside of the former ROC Church on Midlothian Turnpike.

Former Richmond Outreach Center Church Pastor Geronimo Aguilar was found guilty in June of seven felony counts of sexually assaulting two girls back in the 1990s. Sentencing will begin Monday, October 12 in a Fort Worth, Texas courtroom. It’s expected to take two days.

Prosecutors plan to call eight to 10 witnesses to the stand. There’s been no word on how many witnesses Aguilar’s attorneys plan to have testify.

8News was first to break the allegations of child sex abuse on April 28, 2013 during a protest outside of the former ROC Church on Midlothian Turnpike.

PHOTOS: Geronimo ‘Pastor G’ Aguilar

Our story included the two sisters who alleged Geronimo Aguilar sexually assaulted them when he was their youth pastor in Fort Worth.

The day after 8News broke the story, Fort Worth, Texas police reopened their investigation into Aguilar. The next few weeks, more and more women came forward to 8News with allegations of sexual misconduct, painting a picture of a troubled Pastor with a history of abuse.

The next month, warrants were issued for Aguilar’s arrest.

Aguilar continued to lead ROC church, which was once named one of the fastest growing churches in America as it served more than 10,000 parishioners. He publicly denied the allegations, but in June of 2013, amid scandal, Aguilar resigned from the mega church he founded.

Two years after Aguilar’s arrest, his case would finally go to trial. The nearly two-week trial was filled with explosive testimony and shocking allegations.

Two sisters recalled the abuse, telling the jury their youth pastor began inappropriately touching and playing strip poker with them at age 11. They went on to say the touching soon turned into sex.

A woman from the former ROC church told the jury Aguilar began molesting her when she was 16.

On the stand, the former pastor admitted he was a cheat, having multiple extra-marital affairs, but denied ever having sex with a minor. The jury didn’t buy it and Aguilar was found guilty on all seven counts of child sex abuse.

Prosecutors have told 8News they plan to push for the max on all counts. Two first degree counts carry the possibility of life in prison.

Aguilar’s lawyers have said they plan to appeal.

8News Investigator Kerri O’Brien will be in the courtroom for the sentencing. She will have updates from the courtroom on social media and on air.