Church Leader Accused of Sexually Exploiting Teen

Federal investigators are making some disturbing allegations against a church leader in Waterbury accused of luring a 14-year-old into having a sexual relationship.

Miguel Torres is now behind bars and facing federal charges. Investigators say he met the teen through his wife's youth group at the Iglesia Cristiana Fuente de Agua Viva Church in Waterbury.

A warrant for his arrest shows Torres was a church official involved with mass and preaching. He knew the victim through a youth group that his wife ran and told the teen he would be her mentor.

The documents go on to reveal that in August, the girl’s mother found alarming text messages from Torres on the teens iPod touch and promptly called Waterbury police.

Investigators say he and the 14 year old were sending naked pictures and graphic videos to each other for months and detectives saw the evidence.

According to the criminal complaint, the two had sexual contact in the church.

"I met him in the hallway," the teen told authorities, according to court paperwork. "Miguel came close to me and started... kissing me."

"I was so nervous," she went on to admit.

Court documents show Miguel Torres admitted to sending inappropriate text messages.

Torres has been assigned a public defender, whose office was closed when NBC Connecticut reached out for a comment.

The church pastor declined to comment.

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