Catello Accused of Sexual Assault
Fox 5
August 18, 2009
http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/20455902/detail.html
LAS VEGAS — A self-proclaimed prophet accused of having sex with children has died.
Benito Catello, 76, died in his home Monday afternoon without ever facing a jury for his alleged crimes. Catello was under hospice care at his home when he died.
Neighbors said they have mixed feelings on his death, especially in light of some serious criminal charges.
The usually quiet neighborhood near East Owens Avenue and Mount Hood Street has little traffic. But what allegedly happened inside Catello's home came as a surprise to most neighbors.
 |
"He was the last guy I would suspect of that," said neighbor Johnny Pollard.
Catello was arrested in July and charged with 29 felonies, including sexual assault and lewdness with a minor under 14. Two teenaged girls accused Catello of having sex with them at his home which also served as his church.
"He was on death's bed a few years back, and he wasn't supposed to make it through the night. But he did recover, and I think he thought that Christ saved him. And his mission after that was to go around and spread the word," Pollard said.
Neighbors said they have witnessed many visiting the house on a regular basis, including up to this past weekend.
"Many kids stayed there — a lot of young kids. They come to clean the garage and the side, but very young kids," said neighbor Luis Carrillo.
Catello's arrest report said he never denied the allegations to police, saying at the time that he was "full of the spirit."
Police said Catello's home church called The Ministry was used for meetings and Bible study.
Catello was supposed to have a preliminary hearing on the felony charges this Friday.
The coroner's office has not yet released the cause of Catello's death.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.