A Maryland church pastor was arrested and charged this Saturday after being accused of attempting to sexually assault a young girl this past January, Bethesda Magazine reports.
The incident allegedly took place in a room Pastor Octavio Cantero, 42, provided the girl after he told her that she was “too young to live alone.” The name and age of the girl, who was a congregant at Iglesia Pentecostal Principe De Paz, is being withheld.
After bringing the girl to the room, Cantero told her that they both would sleep there before he attempted to sexually assault her later that night.
Police say that Cantero begged the girl not to tell anyone and offered to pay for her clothes, rent, and other expenses. He also reportedly told her that “demons” lurking inside her provoked him to assault her. Nevertheless, the girl reported the incident to police and a warrant for Cantero’s arrest was issued on September 16. According to reports, he turned himself in this Saturday and was charged with attempted second-degree rape against a minor and other offenses. He’s being held without bond.
Police are asking anyone who thinks they or anyone else who may have been victimized by Cantarero to please call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400.
Featured image via Montgomery County Police
