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  Guilty Plea to Sex Charges Involving 11-Year-Old Girl

Newsday
December 18, 2007

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--minister-sexcharg1218dec18,0,2986009.story

HARTFORD, Conn. - A former pastor of a Hartford church awaiting sentencing for sexually assaulting an 11-year old girl is expected to plead guilty to new charges involving another girl.

The lawyer for 53-year-old Modesto Reyes says Reyes intends to plead guilty to sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor for alleged incidents in 2005 involving a 13-year-old girl who is now 15.

Reyes announced his intention Monday to plead guilty to four counts of sexual assault and four counts of risk of injury to a minor involving the second girl. The new charges came last week as Reyes was about to be sentenced for raping the 11-year old girl, who later bore his child.

"It's more of the same. Another young girl, same pattern, many instances of sexual assault. She did become pregnant and miscarried," William Gerace, Reyes' defense attorney, said Monday.

Reyes had been pastor of Iglesia De Dios, Cristo Te Llama in Hartford. Police say the 11-year-old was a member of his congregation.

The 15-year-old and her mother only came forward to police in November, one month after Modesto Reyes was convicted of assaulting the younger girl. Both girls were members of his congregation.

Gerace says his client is ready to accept responsibility for his actions.

"He is remorseful, his head is clear. Now he's doing what he should have done a long time ago. He is admitting guilt and will take his medicine," Gerace said.

Reyes is expected to appear in court Jan. 10 for both sets of charges. He is expected to plead guilty to the latest charges and then face sentencing.

 
 

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