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Erick Odir Vidal-Fuentes was found guilty of rape and other sexual offenses at trial this week for an incident that took place in September 2020 at the Iglesia Pentecostal El Fin Viene in Takoma Park.
His victim was a parishioner.
Prosecutors said that the 39-year-old Hyattsville resident targeted his victim when she injured her ankle and he promised her mother that he would help her by massaging the injury with special spiritual oils that had healing powers.
On the morning of the assault, Vidal-Fuentes picked up his victim at her home and took her to the church while no one else was there.
While massaging her left thigh, not her ankle on the church floor, Vidal-Fuentes was advised that it was the wrong leg, and reminded that her injury was an ankle, not thigh issue, though the pastor just continued on and ordered her to lay on her stomach.
Vidal-Fuentes then said that the girl had a knot on her hip and instructed her to take off her underwear, and despite her protestations, he continued to insist she remove them from under her dress.
According to court documents, Vidal-Fuentes repeatedly tried to take off her underwear while massaging her hip before sexually assaulting her.
“The victim stated she ‘stayed silent in fear and cried,’ but didn’t want (Vidal-Fuentes) to notice,'” prosecutors said. “(Vidal-Fuentes) told the victim, the same way its confidential when you speak to a therapist is the same as how he massaged (her) is confidential.”
Vidal-Fuentes was unrelenting, and when the girl attempted to go, he stated that he needed more time, and additional massages. When the harrowing incident was over, Vidal-Fuentes told her not to talk about it with anyone before driving her home, where she ultimately reported the assault.
In addition to the rape charge, Vidal-Fuentes was also found guilty of second-degree assault and fourth-degree sexual offense.
“(Vidal-Fuentes) abused his position as head of a church to gain the confidence of this parishioner, and then violated her trust, victimizing her,” State’s Attorney John McCarthy said.
“We thank the victim for having the bravery to come forward and testify in the trial, helping to ensure Vidal-Fuentes is not able to do further harm in the community.”
Vidal-Fuentes faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in October. He is also facing additional charges as another case is pending for the alleged assault of a second parishioner who came forward and testified during his trial.
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