Charlotte churchgoer accused of sexually assaulting children

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte man is facing nearly three dozen counts of felony charges involving sexual crimes against children.

Nicolas Vasquez, 39, was arrested Wednesday and later charged with 18 counts of indecent liberties with a child, 11 counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and five counts of first-degree sex offense.

Investigators with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said four victims came forward after a concerned family member went to police. Detectives wouldn’t specify if the family member was related to Vasquez or one of the four alleged victims.

As a result of the information and evidence gathered by detectives, the department obtained a warrant to search Vasquez’s home. During the search, investigators said they found material images of the victims.

Detectives said the four victims, male and female, knew Vasquez as either an acquaintance or through his former east Charlotte church, Asamblea Apostolica Church.

Investigators further stated the victims were all between the ages of 9- and 12-years old at the time of the alleged assaults, which occurred over the past few years.

Channel 9 spoke with Vasquez’s sister and niece following his arrest. The women said Vasquez, his wife and their child lived in the lower level of their home in east Charlotte.

“If he’s guilty than he’ll have to pay but it’s not true,” the niece translated for her mother. “It hurts us.”

The women said they were home early Thursday morning when police arrived for Vasquez.

“They came knocking on our door around 1:35 a.m.,” said the niece. “We didn’t know why.”

When asked, the women said Vasquez’s wife wasn’t home. The family said they don’t believe Vasquez is capable of committing those crimes.

Channel 9 also reached out to the church. An administrator stressed Vasquez hasn’t been a member of Asamblea Apostolica Church for at least a year and a half.

“We are praying for the victims,” said the administrator. “We do our best to keep the church safe.”

Detectives are asking anyone with additional information concerning these cases or the suspect to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police also dedicated a line for people with information about the case. They are asked to call 704-336-2780.

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