Former Orlando Pastor Accused of Raping Child Denied Bond

Whittel & Melton 866-608-5529 – Florida Sex Crimes Attorneys

A 54-year-old former Orlando-area pastor accused of child molestation and rape was is currently being held without bond at the Orange County Jail.

He was charged on Friday with two counts of sexual battery on a child under 12 and 13 counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under 12.

The man was a former pastor at a Baptist Church in Chuluota.

Child molestation charges tend to generate very strong emotions from people. Regardless of your innocence, the mere accusation of child molestation is enough to flip your world upside down and change your life forever. Child sex crimes carry stern consequences in Florida and a conviction on your record can ruin your chances of gaining quality employment and negatively impact where you live.

The state of Florida has some of the strictest laws in the nation regarding child molestation crimes. Often referred to as lewd and lascivious molestation, child molestation charges can be brought against those accused of intentionally touching the breasts, buttocks or genitals of a child under the age of 16. Likewise, charges can also be filed for enticing or forcing a child to touch the accused in a sexually suggestive manner. If you are convicted of molesting a child under the age of 12 in Florida, you will face a mandatory prison sentence of 25 years to life in prison, and once released, you will be required to wear a satellite tracking device for the rest of your life.

Before talking to law enforcement, contact the Florida Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton. Numerous child molestation cases are built around statements made to police, as sometimes this is the only supporting evidence available to the prosecution. Do not incriminate yourself by making a statement to the police. Should you find yourself under investigation for a sex crime involving a child, contact a sex crimes defense lawyer as soon as possible.

If you or someone you care about has recently been charged with lewd and lascivious behavior anywhere in the state of Florida, contact the Florida Sex Crimes Lawyers at Whittel & Melton online or call us statewide and toll-free at 866-608-5529.