By Kieran Corcoran For Dailymail.Com
Pablo Pinto Mata, 46, is accused of sex attack against girl in 2013
Allegedly used three-part ritual to dupe her into undressing for attack
Mata has business linked to Santeria in Montebello, California
The faith has roots in Africa and incorporates elements of Catholicism
‘Sex attack’: Pablo Pinto Mata, 46, is accused of abusing a girl in Montebello, California
‘Sex attack’: Pablo Pinto Mata, 46, is accused of abusing a girl in Montebello, California
A priest of a minor Caribbean religion allegedly sexually abused a 16-year-old girl while pretending to carry out a healing ritual on her.
Pablo Pinto Mata, a 46-year-old cleric of the Santeria religion, is accused of the sex attack against the minor, whom police say he forced to undress for him.
Mata, a so-called ‘Santero’ is said to have lured the child to his workplace in Montebello, California, for a three-part procedure designed to dupe her into sexual contact.
The incident, which allegedly took place in 2013, has only been revealed recently, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Times reported that police in Montebello have been looking for Mata for years but have made little progress.
Mata allegedly carried out three of the bogus rituals on the girl, with the command to disrobe coming on the third attempt.
He allegedly told his victim that the ritual was a common part of the Santeria faith, which is popular in Caribbean former colonies like Cuba.
It combines West African spiritual roots with elements of Roman Catholicism, including worship of saints.
Mata is accused of carrying out the rituals at Los Angeles Imports, his business in Montebello.
Ads in the building’s windows offered ‘intensive’ spiritual courses and rituals, as well as touting incense, amulets and herbs for sale.
IMAGES:
‘Sex attack’: Pablo Pinto Mata, 46, is accused of abusing a girl in Montebello, California
Scene: Mata is accused of abusing the girl in a series of rituals linked to Santeria at his business, Los Angeles Imports
For more on this story go to: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3189944/Priest-Caribbean-Santeria-religion-used-HEALING-ritual-cover-sexually-abuse-16-year-old-girl.html#ixzz3iBTFeaBR