Florida
Pastor Is Accused of Sexually Assaulting 2 Girls at a Florida Church — and Allegedly Gave a Chilling Reasoning Behind the Abuse
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x434:751x436)/pastor-accused-sexual-assault-051025-d96623a4420744f4a62a4b2d66b470e4.jpg?ssl=1 "Pastor Is Accused of Sexually Assaulting 2 Girls at a Florida Church — and Allegedly Gave a Chilling Reasoning Behind the Abuse")
NEED TO KNOW
- A Florida pastor is accused of sexually assaulting two underage girls on church grounds
- Yersson Solarte, 33, has been charged with sexual battery of a minor and lewd and lascivious molestation
- The religious figure allegedly told one of the victims, “We only live once,” per The Miami Herald
A Florida pastor is facing legal trouble after being accused of sexually assaulting two underage girls on church grounds.
Yersson Solarte, 33, was arrested by the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia on Wednesday, May 7, during a coordinated effort with Florida’s Sanford Police Department (SPD). Authorities believe Solarte was on a “family trip” at the time of his arrest. He has since been charged with sexual battery of a minor and lewd and lascivious molestation.
Officials first learned of reports of an alleged “inappropriate relationship” between Solarte and two underage victims on April 10, which led them to launch an investigation, the SPD said in a statement shared on Facebook.
The SPD then claimed that the pastor “did inappropriately touch the victims” and sexually assaulted one of them at Ipul Pentecostal Church — or Iglesia Pentecostal Unida Latinoamericana Orlando Norte — in Sanford.
Both minors were members of the church, and Solarte has since been removed from his position, per the SPD.
A contact for the Ipul Pentecostal Church did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. As of Saturday, May 10, Solarte’s name remains on the church’s website.
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According to an affidavit obtained by The Miami Herald, the first girl reported Solarte days after her most recent incident that allegedly involved him. The girl claimed that the religious figure made her sit on his lap and sexually assaulted her in both his office and the church’s multimedia room.
The outlet also reported, citing police, that the second girl claimed she was abused by Solarte multiple times. The girl alleged that Solarte “expressed his love for her,” before hugging her sister and trying to make her jealous.
She also claimed that Solarte molested her in his office and during a “juvenile meeting,” and also “forcefully” grabbed her face to kiss her. The girl further alleged that the pastor unzipped his pants and said they were a “couple,” per the Herald.
At one point, the girl claimed that the pastor explained his reasoning behind the reported abuse, allegedly telling her, “We only live once,” the Herald reported, citing investigators.
Police are currently asking those with more information tied to the case to get in touch, as they said there “is a possibility” there are additional victims who haven’t yet come forward about Solarte — who ABC affiliate WPLG reported is a married father.
“People like this are a special class of criminal, who use their position of trust to prey on innocent victims,” Chief Cecil Smith said in a statement. “Solarte is now behind bars where he belongs.”
“We pray there aren’t any additional people who have been victimized by this man. If anyone has information about these crimes, or other victims, come forward and help protect our children,” Smith added.
The pastor has since been transported to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Florida. It is not immediately clear if he has legal representation to comment on his behalf.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
Poll results: Who will be the next Florida governor?
A recent poll from the University of North Florida found Casey DeSantis, the First Lady of Florida, is an early favorite in next year’s governor race.
Fox – 35 Orlando
A Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate has taken his grievances to social media, claiming that Waffle House has banned him from its locations across the state.
James Fishback, who is running to succeed fellow Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as the next governor, said that the restaurant chain criminally trespassed on him and his team from all of its locations in Florida after he told his followers on the “Tucker Carlson Show” in January that he’d be touring every Waffle House across the state to speak to voters.
At the time of his announcement, Fishback, 31, said Waffle House allowed him to do just that.
However, on March 4, Waffle House “abruptly revoked our permission,” Fishback said, adding, “I am disappointed in Waffle House’s decision, especially since they had given us explicit permission to visit their restaurants just 3 weeks ago.”
Before Waffle House’s decision, Fishback had visited locations in Madison, St. Pete, Bonifay, Marianna and Jacksonville.
In an email to USA TODAY on March 11, Fishback confirmed that his permission was still revoked. USA TODAY emailed Waffle House on Wednesday, but has not received a response.
Fishback said he’d be fighting the decision by launching his own version of a Waffle House called the “Fishback Waffle Home,” a no-cost, pop-up restaurant coming to select cities in Florida to “keep meeting voters over hot coffee and warm waffles.”
“I want to thank the Waffle House staff who greeted me and our supporters, with warmth, kindness and awesome food,” Fishback wrote in the statement.
Florida gubernatorial election
Florida will elect its next governor on Nov. 3. DeSantis cannot run for the office again because the state’s constitution limits governors to serving two consecutive terms.
The primary will be held Aug. 18, in which residents will select their candidates for the general election.
There are 41 candidates in the election, including U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, Former U.S. Congressman David Jolly and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, according to a report by Maxon-Dixon Polling and Strategy and the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Fishback is the second favorite for the Republican nomination. He’s currently behind Republican frontrunner U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.
Fishback is a former investor and hedge fund manager who was born in Davie, about 28 miles from Miami.
He notably suggested to President Donald Trump and Elon Musk that they should issue “DOGE Dividends,” which would be paid to Americans using funds the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) saved. The agency has since been dissolved.
Contributing: C.A. Bridges, Tallahassee Democrat
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com
These are the Top 10 most expensive homes sold in Collier County in February.
Data provided by: Royal Shell Real Estate.
1. 4115 Cutlass Lane, Naples
List price: $28,750,000
Sold price: $25,000,000
Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal
Size: 6,291 square feet
Year built: 2022
Days on market: 355
Amenities: Gulf Access, Boat Dock/Lift, Jet Ski Lift, Beach Access, Private Pool/Spa, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen/Shower
View: Basin
2. 1365 Spyglass Lane, Naples
List price: $21,500,000
Sold price: $19,950,000
Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal
Size: 6,736 square feet
Year built: 2023
Days on market: 76
Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock, Beach Access, Clubhouse, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Gas Fire Pit/Grill, Deck, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen
View: Bay
3. 600 Galleon Drive, Naples
List price: $19,995,000
Sold price: $18,100,000
Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal
Size: 7,195 square feet
Year built: 2002
Days on market: 104
Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock, Tennis Court, Private Pool, Outdoor Kitchen
View: Bay
4. 1818 6th Street S., Naples
List price: $19,495,000
Sold price: $18,000,000
Neighborhood/Development: Aqualane Shores
Size: 6,305 square feet
Year built: 2025
Days on market: 0
Amenities: Gulf Access, Boat Dock, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Deck, Outdoor Kitchen/Shower
View: Canal
5. 1640 Dolphin Court, Naples
List price: $15,995,000
Sold price: $15,150,000
Neighborhood/Development: Royal Harbor
Size: 6,500 square feet
Year built: 2025
Days on market: 65
Amenities: Bayfront, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Gas Fire Pit/Grill, Deck, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen
View: Bay
6. 1040 2nd Street S., Naples
List price: $13,495,000
Sold price: $12,000,000
Neighborhood/Development: Olde Naples
Size: 5,486 square feet
Year built: 2020
Days on market: 20
Amenities: Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill
View: Landscaped Area
7. 436 Putter Point Court, Naples
List price: $10,900,000
Sold price: $10,100,000
Neighborhood/Development: The Moorings
Size: 5,156 square feet
Year built: 2025
Days on market: 62
Amenities: Private Pool/Spa, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen
View: Landscaped Area
8. 16961 Sud Cortile Court, Naples
List price: $7,897,000
Sold price: $7,650,000
Neighborhood/Development: Mediterra
Size: 5,128 square feet
Year built: 2015
Days on market: 49
Amenities: Lakefront, Beach Access, Clubhouse, Community Pool, Golf Course, Lap Pool, Private Membership, Putting Green, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Courtyard, Deck, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen
View: Golf Course, Lake
9. 2900 Indigobush Way, Naples
List price: $7,750,000
Sold price: $7,625,000
Neighborhood/Development: Grey Oaks
Size: 6,605 square feet
Year built: 2000
Days on market: 93
Amenities: Clubhouse, Community Pool/Spa, Concierge Services, Golf Course, Lap Pool, Private Membership, Putting Green, Sauna, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Outdoor Kitchen
View: Golf Course
10. 424 Spinnaker Drive, Naples
List price: $7,250,000
Sold price: $6,825,000
Neighborhood/Development: The Moorings
Size: 4,724 square feet
Year built: 2025
Days on market: 59
Amenities: Beach Access, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Courtyard, Deck, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen
View: Landscaped Area
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here.
A Florida woman confessed to stabbing her 76-year-old roommate to death before covering his body with a tarp, stealing his truck and driving away from the scene, according to authorities.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Shannon R. Giblin, 48.
Shannon R. Giblin (Photo: Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office)
In a news release, the sheriff’s office said deputies were dispatched to a home on Sunday after they received a report about a person who was not breathing. When they arrived at the home, they found a man, later identified as Paul De Wayne Bradley, who was dead.
Police said they tracked Giblin down in Bradley’s truck, which was missing from the driveway, in Sarasota County.
“As Charlotte County detectives questioned Giblin, she provided a confession to stabbing Bradley following an argument,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said in the release.
“After realizing that the victim was beyond help, Giblin then covered Bradley with a tarp and left the scene in the victim’s pickup truck,” Prummell added.
Online jail records show Giblin was charged with second-degree murder, as well as grand theft of a motor vehicle.
“I want to recognize my Major Crimes detectives who worked this case through the night and identified the suspect quickly,” Prummell said. “They truly show a dedication to their craft and the results are irrefutable. I also want to thank the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for their quick actions in locating and detaining her based on the intelligence my team was able to share. As I have always said, Southwest Florida is fortunate to have law enforcement who work together so effectively for the people we serve.”
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Giblin is being held without bond, according to the release.
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