Largo Youth Minister Arrested On Molestation Charge

LARGO, FL – The Largo Police Department has announced the arrest of Anona United Methodist Church’s director of child ministry. According to the agency, the 31-year-old man inappropriately touched a 14-year-old girl on several occasions.

Police say Domenic Victor Bisesti inappropriately touched the girl “in a lewd and lascivious manner on the buttocks area over her clothing during a church function and on church property.” The alleged behavior occurred several times over the past few months, the police department wrote in a Wednesday email to media.

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“After realizing these contacts were not accidental, she asked him to stop but he continued with this behavior,” the police department’s email said. The girl also told her mother, who reported the incidents to police.

Police say they spoke with the teenage girl and Bisesti, and also pulled evidence from the victim’s cell phone before bringing Bisesti into custody on Tuesday, June 13.

Officials at the 13233 Indian Rocks Road church were notified of the arrest, the police department’s email said.

Dr. Jack Stephenson, the church’s senior pastor, told Patch Bisesti has been removed from programs pending the case's outcome. The church is also working with psychologists to be able to help parents talk to their children about the allegations, he added.

Police say it is unknown at this time if there are more victims.

Bisesti was booked into the Pinellas County Jail following his arrest. He was released Wednesday in lieu of $10,000 bond, jail records indicate.

No further information is being released at this time.

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Booking photo courtesy of the Pinellas County Jail