South Texas minister accused of sexual abuse
Posted: 06.24.2009 at 9:48 AM
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EDINBURG, Texas (AP) - A 61-year-old South Texas minister is jailed on $2 million bail on charges that he sexually abused two girls.

Tomas Gonzales of Mercedes was in the Hidalgo County Detention Center on Wednesday on eight counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child.

Jailer Martin Guzman told The Associated Press he had no information on an attorney for Gonzales, who was arraigned Tuesday night.

Gonzales is pastor at Templo Nueva Vida in the Weslaco area.

Mercedes police Sgt. Hugo Ramos Jr. says the case involves two girls who are related to the pastor. The abuse allegedly happened when the teens visited his home.

Gonzales was summoned to the police station Monday for questioning.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)