Crimesider
Crimesider
January 22, 2013 2:42 PM

Sex charges stand against ex-Tulsa megachurch janitor, judge won't dismiss case

By
Crimesider Staff
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Daily Blotter

Israel Castillo

/ KOTV/Tulsa County Sheriff's Office
(CBS/AP) TULSA, Okla. - A judge has refused to dismiss charges against a man accused of sending lewd and indecent proposals to a 14-year-old girl he met when he worked as a janitor at a Tulsa megachurch.

Judge William Kellough on Tuesday rejected a defense motion to dismiss charges against former Victory Christian Center employee Israel Castillo.

Defense attorneys say Castillo didn't know the girl was 14. Prosecutors say he met the girl at a church youth camp and knew her age because he had known her for two years.

According to CBS affiliate KOTV, Castillo sent the alleged explicit messages through Facebook.

Castillo has pleaded not guilty. His arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 1.

He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Another former employee of Victory Christian Center was sentenced last month to 55 years in prison for raping a 13-year-old girl at the church.


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