Charlotte minister accused of inappropriately touching 2 girls

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte minister has been arrested, accused of inappropriately touching two young girls -- ages 6 and 10.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Orlando Agusto Caldera, 64, was arrested and charged with two counts of indecent liberties with a child.

Officers said they were called out to Memorial United Methodist Church on Central Avenue Monday night in reference to a disturbance. When they arrived, they met the two girls and one of the girl's mothers.

They told officers that Caldera, a minister at the church, had inappropriately touched both girls.

Officers spoke with Caldera, who agreed to be taken to CMPD headquarters. After interviewing him, police charged Caldera with two counts of indecent liberties with a child.

“I found out last night and was very sad,” said the Rev. Don Newman, head pastor at Memorial United Methodist Church.

“We've taken safety of children as one of the things that we pride ourselves in. A church is a place where a child ought to be safe,” Newman said.

Newman said he has dismissed Caldera from his position at the church.

No one answered the door at Caldera’s home Tuesday afternoon.

He is in jail with his bond set at $100,000.

Detectives have already begun to receive more information about additional potential victims and are investigating those leads.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

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