The Republic | azcentral.com

Police have accused a Phoenix man of taking advantage of his position as a minister to sexually abuse at least two women and two girls in his congregation.

Jorge Vasquez, 47, was arrested Thursday and is being held in a Maricopa County jail on suspicion of six counts of child molestation, two counts of sexual conduct with a minor, four counts of sexual abuse, two counts of sexual assault and four counts of kidnapping, among other allegations.

Detectives from the Family Investigations Bureau of the Phoenix Police Department first learned about the allegations earlier this month, according to a police statement issued Friday.

Investigators say they developed probable cause to believe Vasquez engaged in sexual contact with females ages 12 to 33 against their will during counseling sessions or on other occasions during his 7-year tenure as pastor at La Roca, or the Rock Church, near 21st Avenue and Buckeye Road.

Vasquez has denied any of the allegations, police say.

The minor girls, who were both in their early teens at the time of the alleged abuse, told police that the pastor said he was teaching them about sex to prepare them for their future husbands or boyfriends, according to police records filed in court this week.

For one reported victim, the alleged abuse occurred when a woman having marital problems called Vasquez to make a pastoral visit at her home, records show. Another woman told police the pastor made unwanted sexual contact with her on a job site - employment that he had helped her get.

The investigation is ongoing.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to call the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-5151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS, or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish.