Minnesota pastor faces criminal sexual conduct charges for relationship with teen
The pastor allegedly confessed to having a sexual relationship with the 17-year-old girl at the church
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nathan Van Alfred Luong, a pastor from Rochester, Minnesota, is accused of criminal sexual conduct with a teenager who was seeking spiritual guidance and faith counseling.
Luong, 36, is facing three counts, which "includes a count of criminal sexual conduct during a religious advice meeting," according to Fox 9.
The Sleepy Eye Police Department received multiple reports of Luong's misconduct, and he was charged on Friday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox 9 reports that Luong admitted to a reporter "that he had a sexual relationship with the teen at Trinity Lutheran Church."
FILE - A wooden cross stands on the altar in a church. (Sebastian Gollnow/picture alliance via Getty Images)
The sexual encounters with the then-17-year-old minor occurred at the church, as well as on a youth trip to Montana between October 2019 and February 2020.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In May 2022, Luong initially denied he had relations with the teen after police had been acting on tips. A sofa cover was seized from the church for DNA testing.
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In October 2022, sperm cells from the cover were a match for Luong. A female's DNA from the cover was also discovered after a warrant to test the female was implemented by police.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE- Hands resting on an open Bible while a person prays. (Manusapon Kasosod via Getty Images)
The female admitted to having sex with Luong multiple times when she was 17 and 18 at both Luong's home and the church.
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Luong has been booked into Dodge County jail, and is set to return to court on December 23.