Lower Valley Church Leader Arrested in Shocking Child Sex Abuse Case

Yakima County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested a 32-year-old man from the Sunnyside - Outlook area for what they say are multiple sex offenses involving a minor teenage child.

THE SUSPECT IS IDENTIFIED AS A YOUTH LEADER

The man is only identified as a volunteer youth group leader in a lower valley church.
According to a press release the victim told adults about the incidents who then contacted authorities. The man was arrested at his home and was interviewed. Detectives say the man admitted to authorities that the teenager had visited his home multiple times but he denied all the allegations of any sexual contact.

THE SUSPECT FACES NUMEROUS CHARGES 

The suspect is now sitting in the Yakima County jail facing six counts of a rape of a child, two counts of child molestation, and one count of communication with a minor for immoral purposes. Yakima County Sheriff's Detectives say the Detective division has been busy with a number of sex offense cases. In fact authorities say they've investigated six separate sex offense cases and currently have nine other active sex cases to begin investigating.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING OR KNOW SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING

The press release says the sheriff's office encourages victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse to contact law enforcement because they say these cases need to be investigated, victims must get the support they need, and suspects must be successfully prosecuted.

MANY CONVICTED OF SEX OFFENSES ARE THEN WATCHED BY AUTHORIITES

If convicted the suspect could become one of many sex-offenders that live in Yakima County. More than 60 offenders are level three offenders considered the most likely to reoffend.