Former Church Volunteer Faces More Molestation, Sodomy Charges

The former NorthStar Church youth volunteer accused of molesting a boy during a church lock-in now faces an additional charge of aggravated child molestation and three charges of aggravated sodomy, Cobb County jail records show.

Twenty-five-year-old Cesar Pastrana of Kennesaw was arrested Feb. 10 and charged with molesting a juvenile during "Thrive," a church lock-in held Feb. 3 to Feb. 4 at a private Cobb County residence. Police said he also confessed to molesting two others in prior incidents.

Jail records show the sodomy charges and aggravated child molestation charge, which were filed Monday, correspond to an offense date of October 2011.

This is in addition to the child molestation charge relating to the February lock-in, as well as the two counts of aggravated child molestation with listed offense dates of August 2011.

Pastrana allegedly physically injured a 14-year-old boy while molesting him at his home last fall, according to an arrest warrant obtained by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

Pastrana was also banned from Barber Middle School after volunteering there about two years ago, Cobb police confirmed.

Cobb County Schools spokesman Doug Goodwin would not comment on the specifics of the middle school incident but told Patch, "We can, however, say with complete confidence that the school district has handled all aspects of this matter appropriately and can share information reflecting that at an appropriate time."

"We are aware of the incident with Barber Middle School, but due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation of Cesar Pastrana, we are not at liberty to comment further," said NorthStar Church spokesman Randy Elster.

In an earlier statement from the church, Rev. Mike Linch said the church immediately released Pastrana from their ministry upon hearing the lock-in accusation. Linch also said the church conducted a a background check on Pastrana and that church policy prohibits volunteers from being alone with a child "on NorthStar time."

According to Pastrana's Facebook page, which has since been taken down, he was a 2007 graduate of North Cobb High School. Facebook albums include pictures of him with young boys at church events and other outings.

Pastrana is being held without bond at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

Anyone with information about this or any other case involving Pastrana should contact the Cobb County Police Department's Crimes Against Children Unit at 770-801-3470.