He’s a village pastor but tonight 34 year old Victor Garcia is accused
of a hideous case of child molestation. He is the husband of a woman who was
babysitting a 7 year old girl. But two weeks ago on the afternoon of July 30th.,
the child was napping at the babysitter’s home when Garcia allegedly woke
her up and took her into the bathroom where he had sex with her and forced her
to perform oral sex on him. A doctor who examined the child concluded that she
was carnally known.
Late this evening, the pastor was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s
Court #1 in front of Chief Magistrate Margaret Gabb-McKenzie where he was charged
with one count of unlawful carnal knowledge. In court, no plea was taken and
Chief Magistrate Margaret Gabb-McKenzie told Garcia that she could not give
him bail.
After his arraignment, the Chief Magistrate ordered that Garcia’s status
must be looked into. A call to the Belize Immigration Department was futile
as the court could not yet determine his status. Garcia who says he is originally
from Guatemala claims he is awaiting Belizean citizenship since he is married
to a Belizean. He has been place on remand until September 15.