Pastor arrested in Florida for sexually abusing a teenager, officials say

WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. – A Weeki Wachee pastor was arrested after police said he sexually assaulted a visiting New York woman Tuesday.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said officers were contacted Wednesday by an out-of-state family member of the victim about the incident, which occurred the previous day at a Brooksville home.

The victim was visiting family in Hernando County and was taken to the sheriff’s office when they learned of the allegations.

According to officials, the victim said she was home alone with 55-year-old William Martinez when he offered her a frozen drink he had purchased at a convenience store the day before. She said the drink tasted “funny” and that Martinez also gave her a THC gummy bear.

Officers said Martinez then touched her inappropriately and forced her to touch him. After the incident, the victim said, she went to her bedroom and slept.

Martinez, a pastor at Kingdom of Hope Ministries in Weeki Wachee, denied the victim’s allegations. However, upon investigation, blood and urine tests provided by the victim showed the presence of alcohol and THC.

Detectives also executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home and secured forensic evidence.

Martinez was arrested on two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct of a victim between the ages of 12 and 16 and two counts of domestic or custodial sexual abuse of a victim between the ages of 12 and 16.

He was taken to the Hernando County Detention Center where he is currently being held without bail.