A Tolleson youth pastor has been arrested for having a sexual relationship with an underage member of his church.
Court records show 35-year-old Robert Anthony Jerez had a three-month relationship with the female victim, during which they had sex more than 10 times and shared drugs and alcohol.
Tolleson police on Thursday got a call from an employee of Grace Community Church, near 78th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road, saying a young female churchgoer told a friend that she had a sexual relationship with "Pastor Tony."
The victim's father was also told this information and he relayed to police that Pastor Tony and his daughter were in a relationship from October 2015 to December 2015. The father also provided police with his daughter's cell phone which contained texted photos between the two that were sexual in nature.
The victim reported to police that they had sex multiple times at her father's home, and she broke off the relationship because "she wanted to get clean."
In his police interview, Jerez reportedly confessed to the sexual relationship and admitted he knew the victim was underage. He also told police that he never had sex with any other youth at the church.
Jerez was arrested Friday by Tolleson police and has been charged with one count of sexual abuse and nine counts of sexual conduct with a minor.
