Red Bank church leader accused of sexually assaulting underage parishioner
Freehold, NJ – A former pastor at a Red Bank church has been arrested and charged with multiple sexual crimes against a juvenile parishioner, following a years-long pattern of abuse that began when the girl was just 14, prosecutors announced Monday.
Enrique Molina, 50, is facing a wide range of charges, including two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree sexual assault, four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and additional charges ranging from attempted sexual contact to hindering apprehension.
An investigation by the Red Bank Police Department, in coordination with multiple local law enforcement agencies and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau, revealed Molina met the victim while serving as a pastor at Iglesia Pentecostal Nuevo Remanente, formerly located on Monmouth Street in Red Bank.
Authorities say the abuse began approximately seven years ago and continued for more than three years. The alleged crimes occurred across four different municipalities in Monmouth County, including Eatontown, Neptune Township, and Ocean Township.
Molina was arrested last week without incident and is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending further proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court.
Prosecutors released Molina’s photograph and are asking anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.
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Key Points
- Former Red Bank pastor Enrique Molina charged with multiple sex crimes involving a juvenile parishioner
- Abuse allegedly began when the victim was 14 and continued for over three years across multiple towns
- Molina is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending court proceedings