A Toronto pastor has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman while performing exorcisms on her.
According to CBC, authorities say Wayne Marlon Jones, 53, offered “spiritual guidance” to the young woman, whose identity is not being disclosed, between May 2011 and May 2013. It is believed that the assault occurred during these sessions.
Jones is also accused of defrauding the woman, coaxing her to give him money and property, the Toronto Sun reports.
investigators believe Jones may have victimized many others. “We are encouraging anyone who has additional information to come forward to police,” said Toronto police spokesman Meaghan Gray.
Jones, born in Trinidad and Tobago, is a bishop at United Spiritual Baptist Church, which he founded in 2000, according to the church’s website.
Neighbors say the church, located in Scarborough, is a bizarre place.
“Weird things go on over there,” Sue Lamonday, 60, told the Sun. “It didn’t make sense people would be there at 2 a.m. until 4, 5, 6 a.m. I walked by last summer and heard [a man] screaming, ‘God is going to save you from the fires of hell if you hand over your help any way you can.’ ”
Jones has been charged with sexual assault and three counts of theft fraud over $5,000. He is due in court on Feb. 11.
