By Jonann Brady
Carlos Desuze, 32, of Steele Boulevard, was arrested on April 1 at his parents' home in Freeport, police said.
Desuze, who is married and has two young children, had been a youth minister for five years at Word of Life Ministries in Freeport and was a member of the church since he was 9 years old, said Rev. Gaspar Anastasi, who called the charges "devastating." Anastasi said Desuze was let go from the church a month ago, after the girl's parents told the reverend of the relationship.
"When I found out, it was heartbreaking and painful. We have a lot of anguish and sympathy for a child [in that situation]," said Anastasi, who added that Desuze was well liked and respected within the church, and there was no indication of any untoward behavior before this.
The relationship began last August and lasted five or six months, said Sgt. Det. Richard Zito. Zito said there was no force involved, but because the victim was under 17 and Desuze over 21, she was legally unable to give consent. Deszuse was charged with a statutory rape that allegedly occured in West Hempstead on Aug. 16, 2002.
Desuze, who has no previous arrests, could not be reached for comment.
Word of Life Ministries serves about 2,000 congregants and does a great deal of outreach with young people, the poor and those with alcohol and drug problems, said Anastasi. The girl and her family no longer attend the church, though Desuze and his family do, said Anastasi.
"His life needs a lot of healing," he added.
