Youth pastor accused of raping girl in Orange County home may have more victims

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A youth pastor was arrested Tuesday on charges of raping a girl under the age of 12, and the Orange County Sheriff's Office is concerned that she might not be the only victim.

Arrest records said Samuel Pierre, 35, abused the child while he was supposed to be taking her to a youth group event.

Pierre faced a judge Wednesday on charges of sexual battery against a child and kidnapping.

An arrest report said Pierre picked up a young girl in August to take her to a youth group gathering for Tabernacle Prayer and Miracles International church.

The girl told investigators that he drove her to a home, where she fell asleep after drinking a glass of water that Pierre gave her.

“We're dealing with children here. They're the most vulnerable in our community,” said sheriff's office Detective Michael Kleinfelt. “He assumed a role of responsibility or a role of somebody that a child would look up to, and he took advantage of that.”

The victim told deputies that there might have been something in her drink to make her pass out.

She said Pierre took her to a bedroom and raped her.

The girl told deputies that Pierre told her to change her clothes after the rape, and said if she told anyone what happened, “the result would not be good for her.”

The girl's mother called deputies after the victim told her what happened.

Deputies said her mother noticed a big difference in the girl's behavior after the incident.

“She became quiet. She noticed the change in her grades,” said Kleinfelt.

Other victims should not be afraid to come forward, Kleinfelt said.

"I have some great concerns, and therefore I'm reaching out to the community to see if there are any other victims out there," he said. "I want them to know that their children are safe now and to reach out to the sheriff's office to report their allegations. Don't wait. Don't' think about it. Report it and let us get our experts in to talking to these children."

Pierre remains in the Orange County Jail without bail.

Cox Media Group