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SEMINOLE - The pastor of a United Church of Christ congregation has resigned because of accusations that he sodomized a teenage boy while a pastor in Wisconsin in the late 1980s.
Angel R. Toro, 56, was in charge of the Chapel on the Hill at 12601 Park Blvd. His attorney, Bruce Denson, said there was turmoil in the congregation because of the allegations, so Toro stepped down. He did not think charges would be filed, Denson said.
On Monday, however, a detective with the Rice Lake Police Department in Wisconsin filed six counts against Toro. Toro is accused of befriending, sexually assaulting and sodomizing a 17-year-old while pastor of a church in Rice Lake in 1987, according to a copy of the criminal complaint.
Toro has not been arrested. Rather, he is required to show up in court in Wisconsin in mid-April to answer to the charges, said Chris Fitzgerald, the detective in the case. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said there are no pending local charges.
I have seen first hand the long term suffering child sexual abuse has on a person. ANYONE who crosses the line and harms children regardless of how they appear to the community should be held accountable. It is people of power that usually get away with unthinkable acts for many years. To believe that any person especially ministers/priests are good people just because they show an honorable face to the public does not mean that behind closed doors they are what they pretend to be. Most pedophiles seek employment that gives them access to the youth without suspicion. These criminals should be removed from society so as to not harm another child with their sickness. To believe in innocence and trust one’s children with the accused is insanity. The man should be in jail until this is all sorted out!
Angel Toro is a wonderful person.
He has done alot for people in our Church.Always has been there for us all.
We all love him and will pray for him.
God will take care of this.
Not guilty untill proven guilty!!
I have family in the Largo and Seminole area, that have lived there for over 25 years. While on my many visits to Florida, I have been to the Chapel on the Hill several times. From the first time I met Pastor Toro, I found him to be a wonderful Pastor. I looked forward to listening to him preach. I for one will keep him in my prayers. God Bless you Angel.
There was an investigation in Pinellas County and no improprieties were found. Of course in America you are innocent until proven guilty. Rev. Toro was not charged earlier because it is not a strong enough case. Let’s let the legal system takes its course before we bury this man. His life is already in ruins because of an “allegation”. Pray for him instead along with this Church.
I agree that this person should be in jail. But, Simone, you must have never known anyone that this happened to or you wouldn’t be so quick to judge. Do you have any idea the strength that it must have taken for a grown man to come forward with this hurtful story? I hate the fact that this pastor is still out there walking around. If you know this man, you should be questioning your children. I was sexually assaulted when I was a child, myself. I NEVER have told anyone, until this day. I wish I had had the courage while the perp was still alive to do something about it. This man should be commended, not condemned.
Someone’s lying, let’s find out who it is.
What bothers me is that this man has not been arrested and put into a jail cell while awaiting trial. Guilty or innocent it does not matter with child molesters and rapists, there is too much of a risk to the community and he would probably be a great flight risk also. Where does our new Governor stand on extraditing and why is he not involved personally? It seems to me that I remember some sort of campaign promise…....
Any person - janitor or pastor is INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. It seems that, in this day and age, anyone accused of a sexual crime is automatically judged guilty by the public. Janitor, pastor, CEO, or homeless guy on the streets - not one person in this country is guilty until proven so by a court of law.
I agreee with Betsy..But what I do not understand is the person waited 20odd years to even say anything. This man mostly has a family and childern and now he waits to say he was touched by his pastor. I dont understand these people. Say something right then and there why wait and carry that painful memory with you all your life. Most people who hold that sexually abuse in they grow up and have emotional prolbems. Say something dont ever hold your breath especailty when it comes to some one who you worship with, who you confie your feeling with. I hate the fact that this person waited so long .. He should have said something so this man could be stoped. I just wonder now how many other kids were left w/this pastor and how may other kids have been sexually abused by this pastor.
Too many people tend to believe that just because a man works for a church that he would do no wrong. It’s time to start believing the innocent victims and realize how easily they are taken advantage of by these predators. If the janitor of the church had been accused instead of the pastor, most people would probably condemn him before there was even a trial. What makes the pastor any different? If there are any other victims, I hope they will see this article and come forward, too. God bless this man and his family for having the strength to finally come forward.
If he is guilty, I hope he gets what he deserves in jail and after-death!
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Posted by Jim Raous, Oregon on 03/29 at 08:58 PM
Simone,
Have you ever heard of shame? Have you ever heard of intimidation? These kind of things when done to a kid, especially by a respected member of the community are paralyzing. You’re ignorance to the subject matter under discussion is showing. Do a google search for “men sexually abused as children”. Educate yourself.
I was abused as a teen by a respected member of the community. He shamed me, threatened me with death if I told. It went on for years with the shame and self loathing growing exponentially till I figured that was pretty much all I was good for, being _____ by that guy. Why didn’t I tell. Why did it take me 40 years instead of 4 minutes? I was ashamed and I was scared to death.
Just because a boy turns 21 does not mean that same and fright goes away. It stays within him till the time when he is fianlly ready to face it if he ever does. Do some research. You’ll learn more than you want to know.