A pastor was arrested for allegedly coercing a member of his congregation into having sex with him by telling her God wanted it

Associated Press:

The pastor was charged with raping the woman and is being held without bond, police said.

Solid Life Ministries pastor Jesse French, 43, was arrested on 10 counts of sexual battery and 15 counts of lewd and lascivious conduct.

A 21-year-old congregant told police that the pastor began abusing her about four months ago after telling her he needed to anoint her with oil because she was tired. That led to fondling and sex on 10 occasions, she said. The woman told investigators that she repeatedly tried to stop French but that he would read the Bible to her and quote Scripture to suggest God wanted them to have sex.

Police said they're investigating whether there are more victims.

French was arrested on June 22. A message left early Wednesday for French's attorney Harley Gutin was not immediately returned.

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