Rev. Moises Cotto, the pastor of the Congregation Yahweh on Chester Avenue in Newark, was arrested Monday night and charged with  kidnapping, aggravated assault, attempted aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a minor.  His parishioner, Brenda Pabon, is charged with kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Police say that after Pabon sought counseling from her pastor, the two began a sexual affair where they would regularly meet at the Benedict Motel on Routes 1&9 in Linden.  While at the motel, the couple allegedly forced two teenage girls to videotape them engaged in sexual acts, and on several occasions they forced at least one girl to undress and pose for photos with the pastor.  During at least one of the meetings at the motel, the pastor is accused of attempting to sexually assault one of the girls, who resisted.

The meetings at the motel continued several times a week until about two weeks ago, when one of the teenage victims reported the abuse to a parent.  As a result, an investigation was launched by the Prosecutor’s Office and Linden police.

Story is here.