Weeki Wachee pastor sexually abused teenage family member, lawmakers say

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – A pastor at a Weeki Wachee church has been accused of sexually abusing a teenage family member, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Thursday.

According to HCSO, the girl told officers that 55-year-old William Martinez gave her a THC gummy bear and a drink that tasted “funny” before touching her inappropriately.

Martinez was subsequently accused of sexually abusing her. A family member reported the alleged sexual abuse to the HCSO.

According to the sheriff’s office, the girl was tested for alcohol and THC. Martinez, a pastor at Kingdom of Hope Ministries in Weeki Wachee, denied the allegations when questioned by officers.

Martinez was charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim between the ages of 12 and 16 and two counts of domestic or custodial sexual assault of a victim between the ages of 12 and 16. He is being held without bail in the Hernando County Jail.