A former Sanford pastor accused of sexually touching and assaulting two underage girls, who were members of his church, has been arrested on additional charges for similar crimes that allegedly occurred at his home in DeBary.
Volusia County Jail records show that 33-year-old Yersson David Solarte Basto was booked into the facility on Thursday, November 20. He was charged with five counts of sexual battery on a victim under the age of 18, which is in addition to charges stemming from his arrest in Virginia earlier this year.
Back on Thursday, April 10, the Sanford Police Department received a report regarding an “inappropriate relationship” between a local pastor, identified as Solarte Basto, and two minors, according to SPD.
After launching an investigation into the allegations, SPD stated in a social media post that its detectives “determined Solarte Basto did create or attempt to create an inappropriate relationship with the victims, did appropriately touch the victims, and sexually assaulted one of the victims.”
The alleged incidents occurred at Ipul Pentecostal Church located at 2921 S Orlando Drive, Suite 178 in Sanford, where Solarte Basto was a pastor and the two victims were members.
The church promptly removed Solarte Basto from his role as pastor following the allegations against him.
A warrant was issued for Solarte Basto’s arrest, and Sanford police coordinated with several local and out-of-state agencies since Solarte Basto was believed to be on a trip with his family.
Nearly a month later, on Wednesday, May 7, Solarte Basto was located and arrested in Prince William County, Virginia. He was extradited to Seminole County Jail and charged with the following: sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation.
“Due to the position of trust Solarte was in as a Pastor, there is a possibility that there may be additional victims who have not come forward yet,” said SPD in a media release on Thursday, May 8.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation into Solarte Basto continued, which allegedly revealed that he “used his position of trust to groom [an additional female victim] and coerce her into multiple instances of sexual abuse” at his DeBary residence.
Solarte Basto was taken into custody this week and booked into Volusia County Jail on the sexual battery charges. He is currently being held at the jail without bond.
On Thursday, December 4, Solarte Basto is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. for an arraignment hearing, according to Volusia County Court records.