Pastor Charged In Sexual Battery

WIMAUMA, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of a pastor at Beth-El Farmworker Ministry on sexual battery charges. The Rev. Walter Chuquimia, 59, is accused of battering a now 17-year-old child on multiple occasions dating back to 2011.

“Chuquimia was employed as a pastor at Beth-El Farmworker Ministry, Inc., during several of these incidents,” an email from the sheriff’s office said.

Chuquimia was brought into custody on April 24 on three counts of sexual battery, the sheriff’s office said. Authorities say he “admitted to several of these offenses.”

No other alleged victims have been identified, but deputies say anyone with information in the case may call them at 813-247-8200.

Beth-El Farmworker Ministry is a Wimauma-based organization that was founded in 1976 to provide assistance to Hispanic farmworkers and their families. It conducts missions and summer programs, operates hunger relief programs and also offers worship services.

Chuquimia became a pastor at Beth-El in 2013, according to the ministry’s website.

Beth-El’s executive director, the Rev. Kathleen Dain, said the ministry was informed of Chuquimia’s arrest on Thursday.

“We are absolutely heartbroken about the circumstances,” Dain told Patch. The ministry is working “to provide counsel” for those affected.

Chuquimia is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal case, Dain said. “He will not be performing any pastoral duties for the foreseeable future.”

Chuquimia remained in the Hillsborough County Jail without bond Thursday, according to jail records. No further information is being released at this time.

Booking photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office