What to Know
- Reniero Rodriguez was charged with eight counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under the age of 12.
- The children, all of whom are younger than the age of 10 years old, also said that Rodriguez would have them touch him on his private areas.
A church band member in Miami remains behind bars after he allegedly committed disturbing lewd acts on nearly 10 children, according to an arrest report.
Reniero Rodriguez, who the pastor said played guitar in the church band, was charged with eight counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under the age of 12 as well as lewd conduct on a child under the age of 16, according to an arrest report.
The 43-year-old Pompano Beach resident is being held on no bond after a Tuesday hearing.
According to the report, the daughter of the church’s pastor noticed two girls below the age of 7 dancing provocatively at the church in August 2017. When she asked where they learned such dancing, the girls allegedly told the woman that Rodriguez asked them to dance that way. She said the girls told her he also touched their private areas starting in March of 2017.
"We cannot tolerate this kind of behavior, above all we need to protect children," said Olman Sanchez, the pastor of the church. He kicked Rodriguez out immediately from the congregation.
The children, who are all younger than the age of 10, also said that Rodriguez would have them touch him on his private areas, including times in the church van and while Rodriguez’s son traveled with them.
After speaking with the children and their parents, Miami Police were called. Detectives interviewed the children, who all identified Rodriguez as the person who committed the acts.
Rodriguez remains in jail without bond.
