Pastor is arrested after he 'dated an 8-year-old girl, married her at 10 and got her pregnant three years later'

By Thomas Burrows
Daily Mail (UK)
September 16, 2016

https://goo.gl/4UZDV3

Jose Morales, 49, was arrested at his home in Phoenix, accused of molesting at least five girls over a 30-year period

Morales' church, the Iglesia Impacto De Fe, was based in this strip mall in Phoenix

A pastor has been arrested after he allegedly molested several children - including a 13-year-old girl he had illegally married.

Jose Morales, 49, was arrested at his home in Phoenix after the mother of one of his victims alerted police.

She noticed her daughter, 17, had been self-harming as a result of the sexual abuse Morales allegedly did to her five years earlier. 

An investigation is ongoing but police have so far found the pastor molested at least five girls over a 30-year period. 

Morales came to Arizona in 1986 at the age of 19. 

He was already 'dating' an eight-year-old girl, whom he married when she turned ten. Three years later, he impregnated the girl, ABC reported.

Police said many of his victims attended his church, Iglesia Impacto De Fe, which has remained closed since the allegations came to light.

One victim said Morales abused her repeatedly between the ages of seven and 12, once while she was in the swimming pool.

When he was quizzed by investigators Morales admitted having a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old who went to his church. 

The woman accused Morales of going to her home to sexually abuse her, court documents said.

Morales has denied all of the allegations against him, although he admitted being the pastor to some of the females and knowing the others.