Alleged  pastor in   preventive detention  on sex crime charges

Aristides Machado, who posed as an evangelical pastor, and is charged with alleged libidinous acts and corruption of minors was ordered provisionally detained for six months by the judge of guarantees of Panama Oeste during a hearing on Thursday, December 5.

The hearing was behind closed doors for the protection of the victim who is a child under 9 years. The Public Ministry will have six months to pursue the investigations.

The defendant, approximately 60 years old, was accused by the parents of a girl of having sexually abused her since she was seven years old.

Currently, the Public Ministry is aware of only one victim but will carry out further investigations.