Update: Charged With 27 Counts Of Sex Assault, Lewdness, "Prophet" Coerced Parishioner into Anal Sex

LAS VEGAS -- from www.fox5vegas.com - A 75-year-old self-proclaimed prophet is charged with more than two dozen counts of sexual assault. Benito Catello was arrested Monday in his home near Owens and Mount Hood, where he ran a church called The Ministry.

Catello is charged with 27 counts of sexual assault and lewdness. Victims said if they told anyone, Catello said they would burn in hell.

"I've talked to him once in 10 years, and he just told me I ought to come to one of his religious meetings," said neighbor Johnny Pollard.

Homeowners said Catello held meetings twice a week, and about 30 people would attend.

“They were a strange group, because when they walked by, they wouldn't really talk to you," Pollard said. “Everybody was young."

"They were minors. That's why I was suspicious, and other neighbors -- Why are there only minors? There were some adults on the weekends," said neighbor Enrique Esquer.

Included in that group were two teenagers whose families had been a part of the church for years.

"We feel he was probably befriending the parents under the guise of giving the children counseling," said Metro Police Officer John Bradshaw.

According to the arrest report, one victim was forced to leave her family and move in with Catello so he could "counsel her." There she said she was abused several times and coerced into having intercourse and anal sex.

The second victim said she was also assaulted at Catello's home.

If they refused, they were told their families would be kicked out of the church, and they would burn in hell, the victims said.

Neighbors said they still can't believe it.

“He was on a motorized wheelchair and an oxygen tank. So, how he could do something like this is amazing. That's what got me," Pollard said.

In the report, detectives asked Catello if he did it. His response was that if the girls said he did, he must have, and then added that the girls were not lying.

Catello also said he was “full of the spirit” and can't help what he does when he is “full of the spirit."

Catello was married at one time with four children. Police believe the children are all grown now.

Catello does have some history with the law, but investigators said there was never enough evidence to go forward with prosecution.

Police said they are looking for any more possible victims out there.