RICHMOND (VA)
WRIC
Posted: May 28, 2013
RICHMOND, VA—Following ROC Pastor Geronimo Aguilar’s Friday extradition to Texas on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a minor, a Tuesday protest is set to take place outside the Richmond Police headquarters.
The protest comes in response to the scandal revolving “Pastor G,” the head pastor of the ROC, who faces seven felony charges in Texas, including the aggravated sexual assault of two children under the age of 14.
The protest is being organized by SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, which says the rally is being held outside the police station to emphasize that suspected clergy sex crimes should be reported to secular officials, not church officials.
Aguilar, known as “Pastor G,” was transported from police custody in Richmond to Richmond International Airport on Friday morning. He left Richmond on a flight to Texas, where he faces seven charges that, if convicted, could mean he’ll spend the rest of his life in prison.
Thursday afternoon, the church’s board of directors announced Aguilar was temporarily stepping down as pastor and president of the board at the Richmond Outreach Center. The board’s full statement can be read here.
A second pastor at the ROC is also in trouble with the law and has stepped down from the church. 8News has confirmed ROC executive pastor and former Henrico County Police officer Jason Helmlinger was charged and arrested for making threats against an 8News source in our on-going investigation.
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