Pastor who sexually abused more than 20 women told them the sex acts were necessary as part of a ‘healing hands’ treatment

A California associate pastor has been accused of sexually assaulting several of his parishioners with his ‘healing hands.’ Juan Jorge Castro, 53, of Norwalk, CA., was arrested last Friday for the alleged assault of at least four parishioners, but is suspected of violating upwards of 20. The allegations include repeated abuse of the victims and accusations he used their undocumented immigration status against them. Mr Castro has been formally charged for assaulting only four women, as the other 16 have refused to discuss the crimes with investigators.

The alleged pervert is said by investigators to have told women who came to him for counseling that the sex acts were part of the faith-healing process,’ a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told local media. ‘He claimed to have healing hands and utilized that process to eventually sexually assault them,’ the spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times.

‘[Mr Castro] would perform certain acts with them in the name of God,’ a spokesperson told KCAL Aged 18 to 39, Mr Castro’s victims were all undocumented immigrants, which the accused man used to blackmail them into silence. ‘He did this by invoking fear by threatening to tell the victims if they reported him he would have the victims deported,’ a sheriff’s office spokesperson told KNX.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2426371/Pastor-sexually-abused-20-women-told-sex-acts-necessary-healing-hands-treatment.html