Jossue Garcia-Lopez, 20, went before a judge Wednesday morning. He is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14.
Investigators say Garcia-Lopez had sex with the 12-year-old in the parking lot of the Templo Gethsemani Church in Jacinto City. One of the study leaders reportedly told the girls parents after witnessing what he thought was "suspicious activity."
When police interviewed Garcia-Lopez, investigators say he didn't believe the girl when she told him she was 12 because she looked older. Garcia-Lopez told them that he and the girl met at a Bible study at another church and that he gave the girl his number and they started texting each other.
Bond has been set at $80,000.
