NJ pastor accused of making teens videotape congregant affair pleads guilty to endangerment

NJ pastor guilty of making teens tape his affair

ELIZABETH, N.J. — A church pastor accused of forcing two teenage girls to videotape him having sex with a congregant has pleaded guilty to child endangerment.

The Rev. Moises Cotto led the Congregation of Yahweh Templo El Candelero in Newark. Prosecutors say he began an affair with Brenda Pabon in 2008 and that the two would meet at a motel in Linden.

They were accused of forcing the girls to tape their sex acts. One of the girls told a parent about it in May.

Cotto pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor. The 55-year-old East Orange resident has been held on $1.3 million bail since his arrest. He faces 14 years in prison when he is to be sentenced in January.

The 37-year-old Pabon is being held on $750,000 bail. Her case is still pending.