Lubbock, TX - A 70-year-old man has been arrested on sexual assault charges following a months-long investigation into a June incident at a TruFit gym in Lubbock, police confirmed Thursday.
Police Identify Suspect as Reymundo Almaraz
According to the Lubbock Police Department, Reymundo Almaraz was taken into custody after multiple community members identified him as the suspect in an assault that occurred near 82nd Street and Slide Road.
Officers were first dispatched to the gym around 10 p.m. on June 30 after reports of an assault involving a 17-year-old boy. Investigators later learned the teenager had already been taken to a hospital for treatment.
Details of the Locker Room Attack
According to police records, the victim told investigators he had been working out with his girlfriend when he went to the locker room to use the restroom. While waiting for a stall, the teen allegedly saw Almaraz in his underwear, appearing to watch or record another juvenile.
The report states the situation intensified shortly after. Almaraz is accused of entering the adjacent stall, pressing his leg under the divider, and demanding access to the victim’s stall.
When the teenager exited, Almaraz allegedly cornered him in a dressing room, blocked the door with a chair, and locked it. Investigators say Almaraz restrained the victim, made sexual demands, and assaulted him. The teen told police he fought back, eventually kicking Almaraz and escaping to the main gym area to alert his girlfriend.
Investigation Leads to Arrest
Police released information about the suspect in the days following the assault, prompting several tips from residents that led to Almaraz’s identification. Authorities confirmed his arrest on Thursday, but records later showed he was no longer listed in the Lubbock County Detention Center.
Church Confirms Almaraz Retired Last Summer
A ministry leader at Emmanuel Worship Center in Lubbock confirmed that Almaraz “retired some time in the summer.”
Families Deserve Answers: Legal Options After Pastor Sexual Abuse
Reymundo Almaraz's arrest raises questions about accountability when trusted figures like former church members commit sexual abuse. Our team recently spoke with Texas sexual abuse attorney Anjali Nigam about the legal steps families of victims can take against pastors and their institutions. Nigam outlined civil claims, criminal timelines, and ways to secure compensation in such cases.
Laurence Banville, Esq.: Victims abused by pastors often face unique barriers. What legal paths exist in Texas for such cases?
Anjali Nigam, Esq.: Texas victims now have a certain amount of time to file civil claims against abusers or businesses. Criminal charges carry no time limit for sexual assault of minors, and survivors can pursue compensation for therapy, lost wages, and pain through lawsuits that hold both the individual and organizations accountable.
Banville: How do victims start?
Nigam: They should contact an experienced lawyer immediately for a confidential review. Evidence like reports or witnesses strengthens claims, and Texas courts increasingly favor survivor testimony even years later.
Take Action Now: Free Consultations Available
Victims and families facing sexual abuse by pastors deserve strong legal support to hold abusers accountable. Contact our team today for a confidential, no-cost consultation to explore your rights and next steps in Texas. Call now—your voice matters.
Source
https://www.fox4news.com/news/70-year-old-texas-pastor-accused-sexually-assaulting-teen-gym
