Rockville Church Youth Pastor Charged with Rape

A youth minister at a Rockville church has been charged with rape and other sex crimes after having a romantic relationship with a 13-year-old girl, authorities say.

Paolo Dominic Belarmino, 24, of the 13300 block of Midway Avenue in Rockville was charged with sexual abuse of a minor, second-degree rape, second-degree sexual. He was arrested July 10 and released from jail on Monday, police say.

Belarmino was the youth group minister at River of Life Church, 5906 Halpine Road in Rockville. None of the sexual activity occurred on church property, authorities say.

Montgomery County Police say that Belarmino knew the girl’s age when he became close to her in February. By April, the suspect had begun a dating relationship with the victim and he initiated sexual contact. The relationship escalated to multiple incidents of sexual activity through June.

If anyone believes they have been victimized by Belarmino, police urge them to call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400.

»Photo of rape suspect Paolo Belarmino, courtesy of Montgomery County Police