MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A South Florida pastor is facing disturbing charges following allegations from a minor and her mother.
Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 50-year-old Elco Vallier on Wednesday.
According to authorities, the 15-year-old victim came forward and told investigators that Vallier, who she said was a pastor at her church, “fondled her buttocks, rubbed her thigh, and attempted to kiss her on several occasions.”
The victim told deputies that all of the offenses occurred while the two were on grounds of the Theophile Church, located at 15201 NW 7th Ave., in Biscayne Gardens.
Additionally, the victim’s mother told investigators that she had read “inappropriate text messages” that had been sent by Vallier to her daughter.
Deputies said the victim told them this had been ongoing since she was approximately 13 years old.
According to authorities, they initiated a controlled phone call between the victim and Vallier, though the details of the call were redacted from an arrest form.
Detectives were then able to obtain an arrest warrant for Vallier, who they said lives in Loxahatchee and was taken into custody with the assistance of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
He is facing charges of lewd and lascivious molestation and lewd or lascivious conduct.
He was not listed among Miami-Dade County jail inmates as of Wednesday morning.
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