RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- Suspended Pastor Geronimo Scott Aguilar of the popular Richmond Outreach Center (ROC) in South Richmond was released from the Richmond City Jail and flew to Fort Worth, Texas on Friday.
Two members of a Texas extradition team arrived just before 9 a.m. to escort the 43-year-old pastor to the Richmond International Airport.
After nearly 20 minutes in line at the American Airlines terminal, the pastor along with his two escorts were taken by airport police through a side entrance to the ticketing gate.
He had been jailed for three days by Friday after waiving extradition earlier this week. Aguilar will see a judge in Texas, where bond has already been set at $200,000.
The District Attorney’s Office in Tarrant County, Texas has formally charged the 43-year-old in the first case with two counts of aggravated sex assault of a child under 14 and two counts of sexual assault of a child.
In another case involving a second alleged victim, Aguilar was also charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, plus one count of indecency with a child.
Both case date back to accusations that he sexually abused two girls in 1996, according to Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office Public Information Officer Melody McDonald.
McDonald said Judge Louis Sturns set Aguilar’s bail at $200,000 ($100,000 for each case). She said she did not know whether Aguilar, known locally as Pastor G, would waive or fight his extradition to Texas.
“In the first case involving one victim, Aguilar was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 – both counts are first degree felonies punishable by up to life in prison," said McDonald.
"He was also charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child – both counts are second degree felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison,” McDonald said in an email.
“In the second case involving the other victim, Aguilar was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 – both counts are first degree felonies punishable by up to life in prison"
He was also charged with one count of indecency with a child – a second degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.”
According to its non-profit, tax-exempt income report, the Richmond Outreach Center is a $17 million independent church organization that brings in some $3 million a year.
The Richmond Outreach Center, Mark Holmberg reports, has an amazing rags to riches story. But what will happen to it now that its charismatic founder is facing child sex charges and has stepped down until they’re resolved? Click hereto read his report.
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