DES MOINES (IA)
WHO13 [Des Moines, IA]
March 5, 2024
By Kelly Maricle
The former pastor of a Des Moines church has been sentenced for indecent exposure.
Jose Artero Flores, 48, was first charged in 2023 with assault with intent to commit sexual abuse and sexual exploitation by a counselor. The sexual exploitation charge was later dismissed.
Artero Flores was the pastor at Palabra Viva Iowa, a church on 23rd Street in Des Moines, when the incident that led to his arrest happened. Sgt. Paul Parizek with the Des Moines Police said he was fired from that position in January of 2023.
Police said Artero Flores showed up at the residence of a 20-year-old female congregation member in November 2022. Court documents claim he exposed his genitals to the woman and fondled them in front of her. The woman tried to get Artero Flores to leave and eventually pushed him out the door.
Artero Flores reached a deal with prosecutors in February and pleaded guilty to one count of indecent exposure.
During sentencing Monday, a one-year prison sentence was suspended, and two years of probation were ordered. He will also have to register as a sex offender and complete the sex offender treatment program.