A 50-year-old Haitian pastor from Loxahatchee is behind bars following allegations of inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old member of his congregation.
Elco Vallier was taken into custody on a Miami-Dade warrant with assistance from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office after a specialized investigation by the Special Victims Unit. He currently faces charges of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation and Lewd or Lascivious Conduct.
The investigation began when the teenage victim reported several disturbing encounters at Theophile Church, located at 15201 Northwest 7th Avenue. According to MDSO Detective Angel Rodriguez, the girl alleged that Vallier fondled her and repeatedly attempted to kiss her on church grounds. The victim’s mother further raised the alarm after discovering a series of inappropriate text messages sent by the pastor to her daughter.
Detectives are now concerned there may be additional victims within the community given Vallier’s position of authority. “We are urging parents who attend this church to come forward if their child has had similar contact with the pastor,” Rodriguez stated. Anyone with information regarding Elco Vallier or the Haitian Ministry Theophile Church in Christ is encouraged to contact investigators at (305) 715-3300.
