Whittier Assistant Pastor Denies Molesting Girl

Whittier Assistant Pastor Denies Molesting Girl

(CBS) WHITTIER, Calif. An assistant pastor at Whittier Seventh-Day Adventist Church pleaded not guilty Friday to performing a lewd act on a 9-year-old girl.

Misael Blanco Sarsoza, 56, of West Covina, was arrested April 5 and was released three days later after posting $100,000 bail.

He was working as an assistant pastor when the child's grandparents reported the suspected molestation to Whittier police, prompting an investigation.

Sarsoza gave Bible study classes and prepared sermons for the church. He had direct contact with children in the congregation through his duties, according to authorities.

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