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Local Pastor Arrested on Suspicion of Sex with Adolescent Girl
Photo by Gunnar Pippel via Shutterstock
A 41-year-old pastor in the Inland Empire has been arrested for allegedly having sex repeatedly with a girl under the age of 14, reports Fox 5 San Diego. Matthias Anderson of Hemet, who started the New Wine Ministries in Oceanside, was taken into custody yesterday morning at 7:45 a.m. when he showed up to the girl's house, reportedly to see her, and was greeted instead by local police officers.
The pastor reportedly met the girl and her mother several years ago at a local women's shelter. The girl at first didn't want to talk about the situation with authorities, but later opened up about it, saying that the relationship didn't begin as sexual but soon turned in that direction. At the time of Anderson's arrest, it had allegedly been going on for two years.
Anderson is married, and has six children.
The girl's mother told police in October of 2010 that she suspected that the pastor was having sex with her then 14-year-old daughter.
He's being held on $1 million bail, on suspicion of unlawful sex and lewd acts with a child.
ABC 7 reports that officials believe that Anderson may have more victims. Anyone with information is encouraged to call (951) 696-3615.
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