Gaithersburg pastor says victim’s ‘demons’ prompted attempted rape: police

A Gaithersburg pastor is facing felony charges after he allegedly tried to rape a child and then blamed the incident on her “demons.”

According to Montgomery County police, when 42-year-old Octavio Cantarero met the victim, he told her she was too young to live alone, and he provided her with a single-bed room to live in at his church, Iglesia Pentecostal Principe De Paz.

The victim reported the abuse in May, telling investigators that Cantarero gave her the room in January.

Investigators say that, one night, the victim awoke to Cantarero trying to sexually assault her.

Cantarero reportedly asked the victim not to tell anyone, and offered to help her pay for clothes, rent, and school.

An arrest warrant was issued on Sept. 16, and Cantarero surrendered to police on Sept. 21.

He was charged with fourth-degree sexual offense and attempted second-degree rape against a minor.

Cantarero is jailed without bond.

Police are asking anyone who may have been victimized by Cantarero to call (240) 773-5400.

The Associated Press contributed to this article