Pastor Accused Of Sex With 13-Year-Old In School Parking Lot

LAUDERHILL, FL — A Florida pastor has been accused of having victimized a 13-year-old girl dozens of times, according to reports. Ricardo Strachan, 40, of Hollywood, is alleged to have coerced the girl into keeping his year-long abuse secret. He was arrested Wednesday.

Strachan's accusers say that between January and December 2016, Strachan had sex with the girl 10 times in his car in the parking lot at Dillard High School, and dozens of other times at a hotel, reports say.

Police say he made the girl steal clothes and other personal items from her family to keep her quiet, threatening her that he would use them for voodoo rituals to hurt her family if she told, Local 10 News reported. He also coerced her into silence by saying his wife was a police officer and had a gun, reports say.

Strachan's lawyer, Lawrence Hashish, said the pastor completely denies these allegations and that he was "completely shocked," to hear them, the Sun Sentinel reports.

The young girl told her cousin first about what had happened, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported. The cousin knew she had been stealing items from her family and had noticed changes in the girl's sleep habits and demeanor.

Supporting the prosecution's case are school records showing tardiness and absences during the time she was allegedly with Strachan, as well as a medical exam showing evidence of sexual abuse, police say.

The Prophetic Worshipers International Church Facebook page is either expired or closed to nonmembers. The Sun Sentinel said a woman who answered the phone at the church said they have not been associated with him for over a year.

Strachan's bail was set at $100,000. The Sun Sentinel reported his attorney argued that since he is a U.S. citizen, a South Florida resident of 20 years, has local family and no ties out of the jurisdiction, that his bail should be reduced to $25,000. The judge disagreed with his lawyer's plea.

Article image Broward County Sheriff's Office