Martic Township youth church leader charged with having sexual relationship with child waives preliminary hearing

A Martic Township man charged with using his position as a youth leader at an East Lampeter Township church to begin a sexual relationship with an underage girl will have his case proceed to county court after waiving his preliminary hearing last month.

Kelvin Daniel Perez, of the 500 block of Drytown Road, waived his preliminary hearing before Judge Joseph Stauffer on Dec. 16 on a single count of corruption of minors.

Perez, 21, is accused of using his position as a youth leader at Victor Church in Lancaster to cultivate a sexual relationship with the victim, who attended the church between January and April.

The victim told police Perez began sending her messages on social media complimenting her and expressing interest in meeting up outside of church functions.

On several occasions the victim told police Perez began driving to her Lititz-area home where he convinced her to sneak out and meet her in his car where he enticed her to engage in sexual acts.

In one instance, Perez convinced the victim to sneak him inside of her basement while her parents were away, again to engage in sexual acts, she told police.

Perez is currently free on $10,000 unsecured bail. As part of Perez’s bail conditions he is not to have any unsupervised contact with minors.

Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Officer Matthew Hinkle filed the charges.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Ponessa will prosecute the case.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.