News Releases

Virginia Man Charged with Sexual Abuse of a Minor; Possibility of Additional Victims a Concern

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) have charged Luis Fredy Hernandez-Morales, age 48, of Sweet Dale Court in Springfield, Virginia, with committing sexual abuse of a minor. The victim in this case is a female juvenile family member.  Hernandez-Morales has stated to detectives that he is involved with the youth ministry program at the Iglesia de Dios en Cristo Jesus (Church of God in Jesus Christ) located on W Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg.  Investigators are concerned that there may be additional sexual abuse victims.

In August 2019, SVID detectives began an investigation regarding alleged sexual abuse of a minor by Hernandez-Morales.  SVID detectives determined that on two occasions in July 2019, when Hernandez-Morales was visiting family in the area and staying at the victim's home in Montgomery County, he inappropriately touched the victim.  On several occasions, Hernandez-Morales attempted to engage the victim in sexual conversation.  Hernandez-Morales told the victim not to tell the other family members about these incidents.

A warrant was issued for Hernandez-Morales' arrest and yesterday, October 29, he was arrested in Fairfax, Virginia.  He is currently being held in Virginia pending extradition to Montgomery County.

Investigators are asking that anyone who believes that he/she was victimized by Luis Fredy Hernandez-Morales or anyone who believes that his/her child was victimized by him to please call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400.

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Release ID: 19-427
Media Contact: Rebecca Innocenti 
Categories: sexual-offense