Richmond Pastor Arrested for Sexual Assault – Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Attorneys
The pastor of Iglesia Pentecostes Movimiento de Gloria in Richmond, California has been arrested on charges of “aggravated sexual assault of a child under the age of 14” and several counts of kidnapping. Allegations against the accused, Victor Manuel Hernandez, began to surface several months ago, and concerned families contacted the police. After an investigation, which is still on-going, police arrested Hernandez on December 1, 2023.
Were you or a member of your family sexually assaulted by Victor Manuel Hernandez, or another member of Iglesia Pentecostes Movimiento de Gloria church? Are you struggling with the emotional and physical impact of sexual abuse by a religious leader? If so, we can help you get justice through a lawsuit with the civil courts. For a detailed discussion on your rights and legal options, call DTLA Law Group to speak with a sexual abuse lawyer.
The History of Abuse by Victor Manuel HernandezThe victim that led to the pastor’s arrest was a member of his congregation, which is a familiar pattern we see in most of these cases. Furthermore, this is not the first time Hernandez abused a child in a sexual manner, according to Pablo Cifuentes, who was a church elder. Cifuentes’ daughter, Karen, recently told her parents that Hernandez had sex with her. In a shocking betrayal of trust, he told the victim, who was 13 years old at the time, that their sexual union was “God’s will.”
According to Karen Cifuentes, “It changed my life totally, mentally…I did not think the same, my grades went down. I was angry with my parents at home. I acted out. I could not tell my parents anything and I was always angry.”
Pablo Cifuentes said he was enraged by what had happened to his daughter, but knew that contacting the police was the best way to handle the situation. Thanks to the bravery of victims like Karen Cifuentes’, an investigation was launched that resulted in the pastor’s arrest.
However, it’s likely that Victor Manuel Hernandez has assaulted many other children under the guise of a kind and caring religious leader. If you are one of these victims, please contact us to learn about your rights under California’s child sexual abuse laws. Filing a lawsuit is completely up to you, but we want you to be aware of your legal options and make an informed choice on how you want to move forward with your life.
$54 Million
$1.93 Million
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Yes, you can sue a church or any other house of worship if their negligence put you at risk of sexual abuse by a member of their congregation. Furthermore, you can file a lawsuit for their failure to act when they became aware of what was happening between you and a church member.
Based on our experience with these lawsuits, we often find that church leaders were well informed of suspicious behavior by one of their officials. Even if there is no physical evidence, there were dozens of complaints by numerous people, yet they failed to report these allegations to the authorities or remove the accused from their church. In the most extreme cases, the church will engage in willful misconduct, like destroying evidence that indicates the sexual abuse of a minor. In essence, they are protecting the abuser and their public image over the safety of innocent and vulnerable children.
Liability, i.e., who is responsible for sexual abuse by a cleric is the foundation of a successful lawsuit. That’s why you should contact an experienced sexual assault lawyer right away, who can help you develop the right legal strategy for your case.
How Much can I Receive from a Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?The average value of a lawsuit for child sexual assault is $1,500,000 to $5,000,000. The exact value is determined by the monetary damages you are owed, the extent of your injuries, negligence by the responsible parties, and many other factors. With that in mind, you will find that some child abuse claims are settled for $500,000 or less, while others end up in verdicts of $10,000,000 and above. If you are interested in learning the amount you can receive from a Iglesia Pentecostes Movimiento de Gloria sexual abuse lawsuit, contact us at your earliest convenience.
What is the Amount of Time for a Sexual Assault Case to Settle?Sexual assault cases involving children can take between 1 to 2 years to settle. This may be surprising to some people, who may have heard that personal injury lawsuits may be resolved in 6 months or less. This is possible, but sexual abuse of minors is a highly sensitive and disturbing accusation. This is particularly true when the victim is suing a church or religious leader. Defendants usually put up a fight, and working through their arguments and negotiating a favorable settlement on your behalf can take 12 to 18 months, on average. If your case is tried in court, it may take over 3 years before a verdict is issued by the jury. Keep in mind, though, that more than 95% of these cases are settled privately between the two parties.
The amount of time you have to sue for sexual abuse of a child is 22 years from the date of turning 18 years old. To put it another way, you must file a claim for sexual assault by your 40th birthday.
However, you may still have the chance to file a lawsuit even if you have exceeded the statute of limitations. According to the discovery rule, you have 5 years from the discovery of a physical or psychological injury to sue for incidents of sex abuse before you were 18 years old.
As an example, you may have struggled with mental health disorders for many years. By going to a therapist, you are able to uncover the root of these issues, which is the abuse you suffered by a predatory adult. If you are over 40 years when you make such a discovery, you still have 5 years to sue for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other monetary damages.
We know that the subject of how long you have to file a Iglesia Pentecostes Movimiento de Gloria sexual abuse lawsuit is complicated, which is why you should contact our office as soon as possible. A childhood sexual assault lawyer is here to help with all your questions and concerns during a free, private consultation.
Contact Our Law FirmSexual abuse has a devastating effect on anyone’s life, especially when the victim is a child that was taken advantage of by a trusted adult. Our attorneys have been fighting for the rights of child abuse victims for many years, and we are more than prepared to bring you the compensation you deserve.
Right now, you may be worried about the cost of legal fees, but that won’t be a problem here at DTLA Law Group. You receive a Zero Fee Guarantee on your case from day one, so you won’t be responsible for any legal fees. Our payment comes from the defendant as long as we win your case. And if you don’t get paid from a successful lawsuit, you owe us absolutely nothing.
Simply contact our office to schedule a free case evaluation if you were sexually abused by a pastor or any other member of a religious organization. Our attorneys can also provide you with a free second opinion on a sexual assault lawsuit that’s already in progress.
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