Pastor Is Accused of Sexually Assaulting 2 Girls at a Florida Church — and Allegedly Gave a Chilling Reasoning Behind the Abuse

A Florida pastor is facing legal trouble after being accused of sexually assaulting two underage girls on church grounds.

Yersson Solarte, 33, was arrested by the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia on Wednesday, May 7, during a coordinated effort with Florida’s Sanford Police Department (SPD). Authorities believe Solarte was on a “family trip” at the time of his arrest. He has since been charged with sexual battery of a minor and lewd and lascivious molestation.

Officials first learned of reports of an alleged “inappropriate relationship” between Solarte and two underage victims on April 10, which led them to launch an investigation, the SPD said in a statement shared on Facebook.

The SPD then claimed that the pastor “did inappropriately touch the victims” and sexually assaulted one of them at Ipul Pentecostal Church — or Iglesia Pentecostal Unida Latinoamericana Orlando Norte — in Sanford.

Both minors were members of the church, and Solarte has since been removed from his position, per the SPD.

A contact for the Ipul Pentecostal Church did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. As of Saturday, May 10, Solarte’s name remains on the church’s website.

According to an affidavit obtained by The Miami Herald, the first girl reported Solarte days after her most recent incident that allegedly involved him. The girl claimed that the religious figure made her sit on his lap and sexually assaulted her in both his office and the church’s multimedia room.

The outlet also reported, citing police, that the second girl claimed she was abused by Solarte multiple times. The girl alleged that Solarte “expressed his love for her,” before hugging her sister and trying to make her jealous.

She also claimed that Solarte molested her in his office and during a “juvenile meeting,” and also “forcefully” grabbed her face to kiss her. The girl further alleged that the pastor unzipped his pants and said they were a “couple,” per the Herald.

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At one point, the girl claimed that the pastor explained his reasoning behind the reported abuse, allegedly telling her, “We only live once,” the Herald reported, citing investigators.

Police are currently asking those with more information tied to the case to get in touch, as they said there “is a possibility” there are additional victims who haven’t yet come forward about Solarte — who ABC affiliate WPLG reported is a married father.

“People like this are a special class of criminal, who use their position of trust to prey on innocent victims,” Chief Cecil Smith said in a statement. “Solarte is now behind bars where he belongs.”

“We pray there aren’t any additional people who have been victimized by this man. If anyone has information about these crimes, or other victims, come forward and help protect our children,” Smith added.

The pastor has since been transported to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Florida. It is not immediately clear if he has legal representation to comment on his behalf.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.