Pastor Victor Hernandez is Charged for Rape

The National Evangelical Association of Belize is under fire, following the arraignment of Pastor Victor Hernandez.  The sixty-five-year-old is the president of NEAB and heads up the Toledo Faith Outreach Christian Center.  Hernandez has been charged for two counts of sexual offenses, including rape and sexual assault, on the heels of allegations made by thirty-eight-year-old woman.  The alleged victim reported to police that on two occasions, in August 2015 and March 2016, she was raped by Pastor Hernandez at his place of business and at his home in Jacintoville, Toledo District.  Sometime in 2021, Pastor Hernandez reportedly groped the woman’s breast in the presence of her teenage daughter.  Subsequently, the matter was reported to Punta Gorda police and the D.P.P.’s office handed down instructions that led to his arrest.  In court, Pastor Hernandez was granted bail in the sum of ten thousand dollars, plus one surety of the same amount.  It is the second time in a little over a year that NEAB has been brought into disrepute by the purported actions of its members.  In August 2023, the Evangelical Association faced similar public outcry when Mervin Budram, a worship leader affiliated with one of NEAB’s churches, was also accused of sexual abuse.  Budram was arrested and charged for the offenses he allegedly committed. Late this evening, NEAB issued a statement regarding the arrest of Pastor Hernandez.  The release states, quote, the National Evangelical Association of Belize was saddened and shocked today to learn from News of the arrest and charges against Rev. Victor Hernandez for sexual crimes. Situations like this are extremely serious and violate God’s Biblical standards for leadership, as well as NEAB’s Code of Ethics. As such, Reverend Hernandez has been removed from NEAB Executive Leadership effective immediately while the investigation is ongoing. Reverend Launcelot Lewis is currently serving as President pro tem. It is imperative that Police do a thorough investigation in this matter. We have reached out to those close to the victim, who is under the care of a licensed trauma therapist as well as loving family, end quote.