The victim attended the Odessa church where the pastor worked, deputies said.

ODESSA – A youth pastor has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a juvenile member of his church, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Samuel Armand Sutter, 26, of 11506 Fountainhead Drive, Tampa, was charged with five counts of lewd and lascivious behavior with a victim aged 12 to 16 and five counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, according to deputies and Hillsborough jail records.

Deputies said that, Sutter began a sexual relationship with the female minor in October, when he was the youth pastor at the church the victim attends. The relationship escalated to numerous sexual encounters. The victim admitted the relationship after her mother found sexual pictures, videos and text messages exchanged between Sutter and the girl. The girl’s mother contacted deputies. The sexual encounters occurred primarily at Sutter’s home, but also happened twice in the ladies restroom at Openwater Church, 15612 Race Track Road, Odessa, deputies said.

For information about the Hillsborough sheriff, go to hcso.tampa.fl.us.

Hillsborough Sheriff | Youth Pastor | Sex With Minor | Samuel Sutter | TB Reporter

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