Church music director accused of sexually abusing 13-year-old he met at church in Pasadena

PASADENA, TX (KTRK) -- A church music director is on the run after accusations surfaced that he was having sex with one of his 13-year-old students.

An arrest warrant was issued Monday for Jose David Rivera, 30. According to the pastor at Casa De Oracion in Pasadena, Rivera was the music director for at least three years.

According to court papers, Rivera met his teenage victim at the church, and they began texting each other. The girl told a psychologist that her mother allowed Rivera to take her to church choir practice on Monday nights. According to court papers, Rivera an the girl had sex at least four times since June of last year. The victim told investigators, in one instance they had sex in the back seat of his car and also in or near the church.

"Kids are usually sexually abused by people that they know," said Dr. Lawrence Thompson Jr. , director of Therapy and Psychological services at the Child Assessment Center in Houston. "As a society, we would like to think that there are some places where our children can be safe."

Dr. Thompson said he's seen this happen time and time again. Investigators are not sure if there are other victims out there.

"If someone has a bit too much interest in your child, trust that. Question it and think about doing something different," said Dr. Thompson.

A woman outside of Rivera's Pasadena home said he left town for a job. Rivera is charged with continuous sexual assault of a child. His bond has been set at $150,000.