FREEHOLD, NJ – A former pastor of a Red Bank church has been arrested and charged with multiple sexual offenses involving a juvenile parishioner, following a multi-agency investigation led by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Monday that 50-year-old Enrique Molina has been charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, three counts of second-degree sexual assault, two counts of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, one count of third-degree attempted aggravated criminal sexual contact, one count of third-degree hindering apprehension, and three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
Authorities say the investigation began after the Red Bank Police Department received a report that prompted coordination with the Eatontown, Neptune Township, and Ocean Township police departments, as well as the Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau. Investigators determined that Molina met the victim while serving as pastor at Iglesia Pentecostal Nuevo Remanente, formerly located on Monmouth Street in Red Bank.
The alleged abuse began when the victim was 14 and continued for more than three years, occurring across four Monmouth County municipalities. Molina was arrested without incident last week and is currently being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court.
Prosecutors are asking anyone with additional information about Molina’s activities to contact MCPO Detective Jason Apaza at 800-533-7443, Eatontown Police Detective Jorge Gonzalez at 732-389-7628, or Ocean Township Detective Michael Legg at 732-531-1800.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki, Director of the Special Victims Bureau. Molina is represented by attorney Thomas Carver of Freehold.
