Seminole Co. Pastor Faces Charges for Failing to Report Alleged Child Molestation

WFTV
September 4, 2014

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/seminole-co-pastor-faces-charges-failing-report-al/nhGGn/

[with video]

Channel 9 has learned the State Attorney's Office is going after a Winter Springs pastor accused of failing to tell law enforcement he knew a church member was allegedly molesting young children.

According to investigators, Cesar Chin, 65, knew one of his members, Normail Reynoso, was allegedly molesting three young children, but he waited more than six months to alert deputies.

Records show Chin found out about the abuse in January but didn’t say anything to deputies until July.

After Chin's arrest, his friend, Roger Diaz, told Channel 9 he forced Chin to do the right thing.

"The right thing to do is to confess and repent and in the case of breaking the law, submit yourself to the law of the land," said Diaz.

Prosecutors filed charges against Chin for failure to report child abuse.

WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said the move sends a message to people who might think they are exempt from disclosing information about a crime.

"The prosecutors are sending out a strong message, that is, if you have knowledge about child abuse, you have a duty to report," said Sheaffer. "You don't report it, you are going to face criminal charges."

Reynoso's partner, Irma Gallegos, was also arrested, accused of not reporting the allegations to law enforcement agencies. Investigators said Gallegos suggested Reynoso talk to Chin about the allegations.

The arrested report said the alleged sexual abuse had gone on for seven years.

Chins' next court appearance is set for Sept. 9.