A California priest who allegedly manipulated his followers into letting him masturbate them to 'cure' them of their sins has been arrested.
Jesus Antonio Castaneda Serna, 51, headed the Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Anglican Church in Fresno.
He was taken into custody on Sunday after a 13-month investigation and charged with multiple counts of sexual battery, battery, and attempted sexual battery.
Police say he assaulted at least three of his congregants, aged 54, 45, and 43
Many of the alleged victims already identified were undocumented immigrants who investigators say Serna targeted because they feared being arrested.
Serna preyed on the undocumented because he knew they would be reluctant to talk to the police,' Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer told the Fresno Bee.
'He used his position as a religious leader to convince these victims to be spiritually right with God... It's our hope that as we progress that we'll be able to interview all of the 22 victims and we hope other people to come forward.'
Authorities said Serna told his victims they were cursed or had sinned and that their semen needed to be 'examined'.
Priest accused of sex abuse told victims he was masturbating sins away
Jesus Antonio Castaneda Serna, 51, an Anglican priest in Fresno, California, was arrested and charged with multiple sexual offenses on Sunday for allegedly abusing at least three of his congregants.
www.dailymail.co.uk