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	Girl Accuses Pastor of Rape By Zach Lowe The Advocate November 17, 2007 http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-assault2nov17,0,650931.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines STAMFORD - A pastor in Bridgeport faces sexual assault charges after a 14-year-old member of his congregation accused him of raping her twice this year, court records show. Yves Jerome, 49, of 66 W. North St., Stamford, is accused of raping the girl while he was baby-sitting her in February. He allegedly climbed into bed with the girl and fondled her before forcing her to have sex with him two nights in a row, according to a recently unsealed arrest warrant. Jerome is a pastor at Igles de Jes de Besta Haitian Church in Bridgeport, according to court records. The church does not have a listed address or phone number and is not a member of the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport Inc., according to the council's Web site. Jerome did not return calls seeking comment. Nobody answered the door at his home Thursday and yesterday; there is a for rent sign outside the house. He has not hired an attorney, prosecutors said. Police learned of the allegations in September, when guidance counselors at Westhill High School reported her missing, according to an arrest affidavit. Guidance counselors also showed pictures the girl drew depicting the alleged abuse. One picture showed an adult man proposing to a girl. The girl denies the offer, saying, "I'm only 14," according to the arrest warrant. The girl turned up the next day, and police interviewed her two days later. She told police she protested when Jerome got into her bed and touched her inappropriately. She said she tried to pull his hands off her and objected when he allegedly forced her to have sex. She shared a bed with her sister after the assaults so Jerome would not try again, she told police. Jerome began sexually assaulting her on a third occasion but stopped when he heard someone coming up the stairs, according to the affidavit. Police arrested Jerome Oct. 23. Jerome faces two counts of first-degree sex assault, three counts of risk of injury to a minor, and one count each of fourth-degree assault and unlawful restraint. He is scheduled to appear at state Superior Court in Stamford Dec. 12.
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