Faces of 2013: Pastor Geronimo Aguilar

Richmond Times- Dispatch/December 29, 2013

By Louis Llovio

Why you know him: The founder and former senior pastor of the Richmond Outreach Center was arrested in May when Texas authorities charged him with sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl and her 13-year-old sister.

About a year ago, Aguilar was flying high. His congregation followed his every word, his sermons were like rock concerts and the church he founded was poised for further growth.

Now, Aguilar has lost his job at the megachurch on Midlothian Turnpike, he’s been removed from the home where he lived and he is awaiting trial. A guilty verdict could send him to prison for the rest of his life.

Aguilar’s troubles began in May when he was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting two young girls in Texas. Authorities allege that the abuse began in September 1996 in the girls’ home, where Aguilar had been invited to live, and lasted about a year.

Update: Melody McDonald, a spokeswoman with the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, says the case is pending, and a trial date has not been set.

So far, Aguilar has been indicted there on two counts of aggravated sexual assault on a child younger than 14 and two counts of indecency with a child.

If convicted on the two aggravated sexual assault charges, which are first-degree felonies, he faces up to life in prison. The indecency charges are second-degree felonies that carry a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars.

Aguilar did not respond to an email seeking comment.

As part of a severance agreement when he left the church, he was allowed to remain in a half-million dollar South Richmond home that acted as a church parsonage until Dec. 10. Then he had to leave.

The church didn’t respond earlier this month when asked whether Aguilar had moved out. But a neighbor said the home has been vacant since Dec. 8.

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