Former Florida Pastor hit with new child sex abuse charges after second victim comes forward

Yersson Solarte Basto, a former Sanford, Florida, church pastor who was arrested in May 2025 on charges of sexual abuse and molestation of girls in his congregation, has been booked in Volusia County (VSO) on additional charges for crimes that occurred at his home in DeBary.

In addition to his Sanford charges, VSO detectives have charged Solarte, 33, with 5 counts of sexual battery on a victim under the age of 18.  The VSO investigation found that Solarte used his position of trust to groom the victim and coerce her into multiple instances of sexual abuse.

Solarte was initially taken into custody on May 7 by the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia. He is now being held in the Volusia County Branch Jail with no bond

Background: On May 8, Florida’s Sanford Police Department announced the arrest of the 34- year-old pastor on charges of Sexual Battery and Lewd and Lascivious Molestation, after he allegedly he engaged in inappropriate conduct, and sexually touched and/or assaulted two underage females at his church.

On April 10, 2025, Sanford Police received a report of an inappropriate relationship between Solarte and two young girls. During the investigation it was determined Solarte Basto did create or attempt to create an inappropriate relationship with the victims, did inappropriately touch the victims, and sexually assaulted one of the victims. It was revealed that the incidents occurred at Ipul Pentecostal Church located at 2921 S. Orlando Dr STE 178, Sanford, where Solarte was the Pastor.

Following those allegations, Solarte was removed from his role as Pastor. Both victims were members of Ipul Pentecostal Church. As a result of the investigation, Sanford Police Investigators issued a warrant for Solarte’s arrest.

Sanford Police Investigators coordinated with local and out-of-state agencies to arrest Solarte who was believed to be out of state on a family trip.  On May 7, members of the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia arrested Solarte.

Due to the position of trust Solarte was in as a Pastor, there is a possibility that there may be additional victims who have not come forward yet. Sanford Investigators are asking anyone with information about this incident or similar incidents to contact the Sanford Police Department.

Regarding this arrest, Chief Cecil Smith stated, “People like this are a special class of criminal, who use their position of trust to prey on innocent victims. Solarte is now behind bars where he belongs. We pray there aren’t any additional people who have been victimized by this man. If anyone has information about these crimes, or other victims, come forward and help protect our children.”

Investigators are asking anyone with information about this crime, or who feels that they may have been victimized by Solarte, to please contact the Sanford Police Department or Crimeline at 800 423-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimeline.org.

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(Sources and Yersson David Solarte Bastom booking photos: Sanford Police Department and Volusia Sheriff’s Office)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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