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	Portland Pastor Pleads Guilty to Several Sex Crimes Abuse - a Group of Women Confronted Sergio Alvarizares with Accusations Last Fall By Aimee Green The Oregonian April 17, 2008 http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/120839911647420.xml&coll=7 A Northeast Portland pastor confronted last fall by an angry group of women who accused him of attacking them pleaded guilty Wednesday to several sex crimes. As part of a plea deal, Sergio Alvarizares, 39, admitted to attempted first-degree rape, attempted first-degree sexual abuse and third-degree sexual abuse for unlawfully kissing four women and trying to force another woman to have sex. Alvarizares had been charged with raping one woman, attempting to rape two others and sexually abusing two others. He was arrested in October, nearly two weeks after a female church member interrupted Sunday service at Casa del Padre, a nondenominational Spanish-speaking church at 1725 N.E. Alberta St. The woman said Alvarizares had lured her into his office with compliments, locked the door and then made unwanted sexual advances toward her. Other women then accused Alvarizares of similar behavior. And as the crowd grew unruly, the pastor shouted "That's a lie!" before escaping to his office. Church leaders and the pastor's son called 9-1-1. Alvarizares didn't speak Wednesday except to answer questions from the judge about whether he understood the plea agreement. Several family members attended the Multnomah County Circuit Court hearing. Alvarizares co-pastored the church with his wife. He is the father of three and lived in Ridgefield, Wash., at the time of his arrest. He faces a maximum of 18 years in prison, but his sentence will likely be shorter. Deputy District Attorney Christine Mascal declined to say what the plea agreement set as the term. He will be sentenced June 4. Aimee Green:503-294-5119; aimeegreen@news.oregonian.com
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