Rockville Youth Minister Charged With Sexual Abuse of a Minor (PHOTO)

Paolo Belarmino
PHOTO | MCPD

A Rockville youth minister was charged with sexual abuse of a minor, second-degree rape, second-degree sexual offense, and third-degree sexual offense, according to Montgomery County Police.

Paolo Dominic Belarmino, 24, of Rockville was arrested on July 10 after detectives investigated his relationship with a 13-year-old girl, police said.

According to Police, Belarmino, a minister with the River of Life Church in Rockville, began “a dating relationship with the victim and he initiated sexual contact. The relationship escalated to multiple incidents of sexual activity into June of this year.”

According to a news release, Belarmino knew the victim was 13 years old. None of the sexual activity occurred on church property.

Calls to River of Life Church were not returned.

Police said Belarmino was released on July 13.

Detectives ask anyone who believes has been victimized by Belarmino to call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240.773.5400.

About Aline Barros

Aline Barros is a multimedia reporter and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at Abarros@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @AlineBarros2.

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