Police: Youth pastor from Seaford charged with sexual abuse of teen

A Seaford man and youth pastor has been arrested on claims of sexual abuse that date back multiple years and span multiple states.
Police say Jesse Vargas, 37, was a youth pastor at the Incredible Journey to Christianity retreat in Michigan in 2011, where he met a 13-year-old female.
Two years later, police say Vargas arranged to have the 15-year-old girl visit his Seaford home, where he allegedly engaged in a sexual act.
Vargas has been charged with second-degree sexual abuse, third-degree criminal sex act and endangering the welfare of a child.
Detectives say the arrest comes following a joint investigation between the Nassau County Special Victims Squad, the Hazelwood Police Department in Missouri and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Crimes Against Children Division. Police say the alleged victim reported the incident last year.
"This individual is a predator in nature. It was calculated. He knew exactly what he was doing, and we want to make sure no other residents come into his web," says Nassau Police Detective Lt. Richard LeBrun.
Detectives say if anyone feels they may have been a victim of a similar incident, to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS, the Nassau County Special Victims Squad at 516-573-4022 or call 911.