BENTONVILLE -- Police on Wednesday arrested a pastor at an Avoca church in connection with sexually abusing two teen girls who were members of the church.
Cesar Lopez, 59, of Rogers was being held in the Benton County Jail on Thursday with no bond set. He was arrested on two counts of second-degree sexual assault, a felony. He could be sentenced from five to 20 years in prison on each count if convicted.
Prosecutors haven't filed formal charges against Lopez.
"Mr. Lopez denies any wrongdoing and will defend his innocence accordingly," said Monzer Mansour, a Fayetteville attorney who represents Lopez.
Lopez's arrest was the result of a monthlong investigation by the Benton County Sheriff's Office, according to a probable cause affidavit. The investigation began after the office received a tip from the Arkansas State Police child abuse hot line about the abuse.
The 15 and 16-year-olds attended Lopez's church, according to the affidavit. Investigators interviewed the 15-year-old, who said Lopez touched her inappropriately multiple times, according to the affidavit. She told investigators she had known Lopez since she was 6 and thought of him as a grandfather, according to court documents. The teen reported Lopez once lifted up her dress and touched her inappropriately, the affidavit says.
The church name wasn't mentioned in the probable cause affidavit.
The girl reported she and her family later met with Lopez, and he apologized to her, but she hadn't been back to the church since the meeting, the affidavit says.
The 16-year-old told investigators Lopez touched her in ways making her uncomfortable, but she didn't say anything in case it was a misunderstanding, the affidavit stated.
A Sheriff's Office detective attempted to meet with Lopez, but Lopez didn't show up for the arranged meeting, according to court documents. Mansour later declined a meeting between Lopez and the detective, according to court documents.
Lopez's arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m. June 20 in Circuit Judge Robin Green's court.
Metro on 05/13/2016