Former Charlotte pastor sentenced for child sex crimes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A former Charlotte pastor who admitted sexually assaulting six young girls will spend at least 14 years in prison.

The Rev. Orlando Caldera pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to assaulting the girls, who were members of his church on Central Avenue.

Police: Minister accused of sex assault faces more charges

It was a painful secret that began to unravel on a Sunday in August 2014 when two girls ran out of Memorial United Methodist Church on Central Avenue in tears.

"They were scared to talk about it. They were scared to disclose this, especially because it happened in a church setting, where they felt safe," prosecutor Kelly Stetzer said.

The girls said Caldera had kissed them or touched them inappropriately.

By the next day, police had arrested Caldera, leaving many at his church sad and heartbroken.

His plea to six counts will keep him in prison until he's at least 78. Caldera said very little during the brief hearing.

Some of his victims' family members cried quietly. Stetzer said they made it clear that they did not want to put their children through the pain of a trial.

"They did not want their children to have to go through this. Most of them are still in therapy and are really in a place where they did not want to open those old wounds," Stetzer said.

Caldera's family was also at the hearing but did not want to comment.

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