Executive Summary
- Yersson Solarte Basto, 33, faces five new counts of sexual battery on a minor in Volusia County.
- Investigators allege the former pastor used his position to groom the victim at his DeBary home.
- Solarte Basto was previously arrested in Virginia for separate allegations linked to a Sanford congregation.
A former pastor from Central Florida is facing additional felony charges after investigators linked him to alleged sexual crimes involving a minor at his residence in DeBary. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VSO) announced that Yersson Solarte Basto, 33, has been charged with five counts of sexual battery on a victim under the age of 18.
According to the VSO, the new charges stem from evidence indicating that Solarte Basto exploited his position of trust within the church to groom and coerce the victim into multiple instances of sexual abuse. Detectives stated that these alleged incidents took place at the suspect’s home in DeBary. The investigation into Solarte Basto’s conduct is ongoing as authorities seek to determine if there are additional victims.
Solarte Basto was previously taken into custody on May 7 by the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia. Those earlier charges were connected to allegations arising from his time with a congregation in Sanford. Following his initial arrest, he was extradited to Florida to face the judicial process.
Currently, the defendant is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail without bond. Law enforcement officials have urged anyone with relevant information regarding the case or potential additional victims to contact the Sheriff’s Office directly.
Investigative Outlook
The accumulation of charges across multiple jurisdictions—Sanford and now Volusia County—suggests a widening scope to the investigation, particularly focusing on the suspect’s alleged use of religious authority to access potential victims. In cases involving allegations of grooming by community leaders, investigators often prioritize identifying patterns of behavior that may extend beyond the initially identified complainants. As prosecutors prepare the case, the denial of bond reflects the severity of the charges and the judicial assessment of flight risk or community danger. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
