FLORIDA
WFTV
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A youth pastor was arrested Tuesday on charges of raping a girl under the age of 12, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is concerned that she might not be the only victim.
Arrest records said Samuel Pierre, 35, abused the child while he was supposed to be taking her to a youth group event.
Pierre faced a judge Wednesday on charges of sexual battery against a child and kidnapping.
An arrest report said Pierre picked up a young girl in August to take her to a youth group gathering for Tabernacle Prayer and Miracles International church.
The girl told investigators that he drove her to a home, where she fell asleep after drinking a glass of water that Pierre gave her.
“We’re dealing with children here. They’re the most vulnerable in our community,” said sheriff’s office Detective Michael Kleinfelt. “He assumed a role of responsibility or a role of somebody that a child would look up to, and he took advantage of that.”
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