NJ Pastor Who Sexually Assaulted Girl Told Her To Delete Their Messages, Officials Says

Editor's Note: This article discusses sexual assault. For support resources or to access a 24/7 sexual assault hotline, you can click here.

RED BANK, NJ — The former pastor of a Red Bank church accused of sexually assaulting a teenage parishioner told the girl to delete messages and photos between them to keep their relationship from being discovered, according to court documents obtained by Patch.

Enrique Molina, 50, met the girl at his church, Iglesia Pentecostal Nuevo Remanente, which was formerly located on Monmouth Street in Red Bank. She was a youth leader in the congregation, according to the probable cause affidavit.

His criminal sexual activity began seven years ago when the victim was 14 years old, then continued for more than three years, prosecutors said.

The crimes took place in four Monmouth County municipalities, including in Red Bank, Eatontown, in his car at Sunshine Village Park in Neptune, and at homes in Ocean Township, authorities said.

According to the affidavit, Molina told the victim to delete “any and all” messages and pictures they had shared to prevent their relationship from being discovered.

When investigators questioned Molina, he waived his Miranda rights and acknowledged that he had a relationship with the girl when she was 15, the affidavit said.

Molina was arrested on Dec. 23 and charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, three counts of sexual assault, two counts of aggravated criminal sexual contact, one count of attempted aggravated criminal sexual contact, one count of hindering apprehension, and three counts of criminal sexual contact, authorities said.

He was then taken to the Monmouth County jail, according to prosecutors.

On Dec. 29, Molina had a detention hearing and was released with conditions, a spokesperson for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office told Patch.

This case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki, Director of the MCPO Special Victims Bureau.

Molina’s attorney, Thomas Carver, who has an office in Freehold, could not be immediately reached for comment on Friday morning.

Anyone with information about Molina’s alleged activities is urged to contact MCPO Detective Jason Apaza at 800-533-7443, Eatontown Police Department Detective Jorge Gonzalez at 732-389-7628, or Ocean Township Police Department Detective Michael Legg at 732-531-1800.

Editor's Note: This article was updated with additional information from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

Previous Coverage

• Pastor Of Red Bank Church Charged With Sex Assault Of Girl, 14, At The Church