Youth pastor arrested for allegedly sending sexual images to teen girl

SAN JOSE >> A San Jose youth pastor was arrested last week on suspicion of sending sexually explicit images of himself to a 13-yearold girl who was part of the congregation that he served, according to San Jose police.

Luis CruzCruz, 24, of Fremont, was booked into the Santa Clara County jail Wednesday on suspicion of two counts of sending harmful matter to a minor, jail records show. He is being held on $50,000 bail.

An investigation by the SJPD Internet Crimes Against Children and Child Exploitation Detail task force contends that between November and December last year, CruzCruz sent multiple illicit images to the underage victim. There is no current evidence that the victim sent any in return.

The victim and her family attended Iglesia Adventista Del Séptimo Día San José (San Jose SeventhDay Adventist Church), where CruzCruz worked as a youth pastor, police said.

CruzCruz was arrested in Fremont, and an examination of his electronic devices suggest that he might have sent similar illicit material to other minors, Sgt. Enrique Garcia said.

Garcia encouraged congregants to talk with their children about any possible contact with CruzCruz.

“We want to encourage kids to be honest so proper action can be taken by law enforcement,” he said. “Parents need to tell their children that they won’t be held responsible for the suspect’s actions. He preyed on children, and parents need to support their kids and ensure he doesn’t do this to other children.”

Anyone with information about the case can contact SJPD Detective Sgt. Brian Spears or Detective Michael O’Grady at 408-537-1397 or leave a tip with Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP or at svcrimestoppers.org.