MCLEAN, Va. — Police have arrested a 75-year-old man for sexually assaulting minors at his McLean home, where he also operated a religious youth program called the Secular Institute Stabat Mater.
Police say a child told officers he was sexually assaulted by the leader of the program in October. Detectives looked into the program and determined Antonio Perez-Alcala owned the home where he also operated the Secular Institute.
According to secularinstitutes.org, the religious youth program aims to "focus on the formation of young people toward integrating the spiritual with the secular through application of Ignatian spiritual exercises with Marian devotion."
Police say young people would often attend mentoring sessions in Perez-Alcala's bedroom. The victim told detectives he was assaulted during those private sessions.
While investigating, detectives discovered another victim.
"That's concerning to us that if you charge someone with one of these offenses, much less when we found out there were two victims, our concern is that there could be more," Lt. Stephen Wallace of Fairfax County Police told WUSA9. "
A search warrant was served at the Secular Institute Monday evening and Perez-Alcala was arrested and charged with nine counts of aggravated sexual battery. He is currently being held at the Adult Detention Center without bond.
The search warrant revealed investigators collected a dozen items including two hard drives, nine thumb drives and a crucifix.
Two adult members of the religious organization were with the juveniles during their interaction with police before charges were filed, per the search warrant affidavit.
"There were multiple juvenile participants of the religious organization that were selected to have private sessions with Antonio PEREZ ALCALA behind closed doors within the residence," the affidavit read.
"It's almost a crime of opportunity that he had time alone with some people you know and some of our most hopeless children who may have been put in a bad position and don't know what to do at that point," Wallace said.
Police say Perez-Alcala has been working with young people in the Northern Virginia area since the mid-1990s. Officials also say Perez-Alcala was affiliated with the Catholic Diocese of Arlington from 1994 to 2008 in a non-ordained capacity.
Perez-Alcala has served the Hispanic community since the mid-90s. He served in a volunteer capacity at Good Shepherd Parish, All Saints Parish and St. Veronica Parish and retired as the diocesan Hispanic Youth Director in 2008, according to the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.
"As a condition of employment and volunteerism with the Diocese, Mr. Perez-Alcala underwent a criminal background check and completed VIRTUS safe-environment training on the prevention and reporting of abuse," a Catholic Diocese of Arlington spokesperson said. "He also underwent recurring background checks every five years, consistent with diocesan policy, to continue serving with minors. This is the first time the Diocese has been made aware of complaints or allegations against Mr. Perez-Alcala."
Wallace said the police department has not been made aware of any previous complaints.
"Honestly, as a mom of two, I cannot imagine anything happening to my kids like that," neighbor Lei Cal told WUSA9. "I'm kind of concerned about the safety of the neighborhood now."
Detectives ask that anyone with information about this case or believes Perez-Alcala may have had inappropriate contact with a child, call the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 3.
Tips can also be shared anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS.
On Tuesday, some students and teachers across Loudoun County plan to walk out of class for 10 minutes to protest an alleged sexual assault incident.
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