Pastor Sentenced to Just 2 Years for Sexually Abusing 14 Year Old Girl in His Church Office
A Covington Kentucky pastor has been sentenced to two years for sexually abusing a 14 year old girl at his church
Covington Kentucky Pastor Sentenced to Two Years for Sexually Abusing 14 Year Old Girl at Church
Jose Luis Lopez Hernandez, a 52 year old pastor of Ministerio Jesus Liberta Church in Covington, Kentucky, has been sentenced to two years in prison for first degree sexual abuse of a 14 year old girl at his church.
Kenton County Circuit Judge Kate Molloy handed down the sentence on Monday, March 10, 2026, after Lopez Hernandez pleaded guilty in February 2026.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident occurred in September 2023, when the teenage victim was at the church with her family. Lopez Hernandez asked the girl and her cousin to come to his upstairs office. He then asked the cousin to leave and requested the 14 year old stay behind.
After the cousin departed, Lopez Hernandez locked the office door and proceeded to kiss the girl's neck, touch her breasts, and attempt to touch her genitals. The victim pushed him away and immediately reported the assault to her father. A witness later observed a bruise on the victim's neck from what was described as "aggressive kissing."
Following the incident, Lopez Hernandez fled Kentucky during a church mission trip to California, skipping his return flight. An arrest warrant was issued in October 2023, and federal authorities apprehended him in Salinas, California on October 12, 2023.
In addition to the two year prison sentence, Lopez Hernandez must complete court mandated treatment, register as a sex offender for 20 years, and comply with a stay away order from the victim.
Lopez Hernandez is currently being held on an immigration detainer by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and faces possible deportation upon completion of his sentence.
Kentucky Pastor Jose Luis Lopez Hernandez Gets Two Year Prison Sentence for Church Sex Abuse
Attorney Joshua McIntosh represented Lopez Hernandez in the case. The sentencing concludes a case that drew significant attention in the Northern Kentucky community, where the church served a local congregation.
The Crusader's Opinion
Two years. A man who was entrusted with the spiritual care of families and children locked a 14 year old girl in his office and assaulted her, and he receives just two years. This is a mockery of justice. Pastors are held to a higher standard by God Himself, and Scripture warns that those who cause little ones to stumble would be better off with a millstone around their neck. This predator then fled across the country to evade justice. He betrayed his congregation, he betrayed the faith, and he violated an innocent child. The sentence should reflect the gravity of that evil. And let every church in this nation take note: protect your children. Background checks, open door policies, never leave a child alone with any adult. Evil does not announce itself. It wears a collar and carries a Bible.
Take Action
- If you or someone you know has been a victim of abuse by a religious leader, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1 800 656 4673 or visit rainn.org.
- Report suspected child abuse to the Kentucky Child Abuse Hotline at 1 877 597 2331.
- Advocate for stronger sentencing laws for child sexual abusers. Contact your Kentucky state legislators at legislature.ky.gov.
- Demand accountability in your local church. Encourage your congregation to implement child protection policies including background checks, two adult rules, and open door policies for all ministry activities.
- Support organizations that protect vulnerable children and persecuted Christians. Donate at www.TheShepherdsShield.org.
