Police: Seaford youth pastor charged with sexually abusing teen

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A youth pastor is being charged for allegedly sexually abusing a 15-year old girl in his Seaford home, according to police. He was arrested on Friday at 3 a.m. in his home on Seaman’s Neck Road.

Jesse Vargas, 37, met the victim in 2011 when she was 13 and he was working as a youth pastor at the Incredible Journey to Christianity retreat in Michigan, according to a police report. On June 20, 2013, the report continues, he invited the then-15 year old to his home and sexually abused her.

Police arrested Vargas eight years later after a joint investigation conducted between the county’s Special Victims Squad, the Hazelwood Police Department in Missouri and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Crimes Against Children Division. The investigation is ongoing.

Vargas is being charged with second-degree sexual abuse, a third-degree criminal sex act and endangering the welfare of a child. He was first arraigned on Friday at the Town of Hempstead First District Court.

Detectives ask that anyone who may be a victim of a similar crime to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS, the Nassau County Special Victims Squad at 516-573-4022 or call 911. All callers will remain anonymous.

More to follow.