Brownwood Pastor Arrested on Child Sexual Assault Charges

COLEMAN, TX-- The Pastor of It’s a Challenge Church in Brownwood was arrested on charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child and indecency with a child, the Brownwood Bulletin reports.

Fernando Hernandez, 50, was arrested on Friday in Coleman on Brown County warrants according to the report.

Hernandez was booked into the Coleman County jail and freed on a total of $50,000 in bonds.

Texas Ranger Jason Shea filed a report with the Brown County Courthouse in which Hernandez said he never sexually assaulted anyone.

According to the complaint, District Attorney Michael Murray’s office made Shea aware of the allegations on June 9. Brownwood police were made aware of a possible sexual assault roughly six months earlier on Nov. 23 and Hernandez was identified as the suspect.

The Brown County Child Advocacy Center then made contact with Child Victim No. 1 a week later.

The victim said Hernandez “put his hands down her pants” and touched her. The victim was allegedly told to be quiet because her assailant would go to jail. She also said it happened more than once.

A second victim came forward and accused Hernandez of the same behavior and that he exposed himself. Shea was made aware of the second victim on July 18.

Shea went to the suspects house on July 24. The suspect told Shea his attorney advised him not to speak to him and that he never sexually assaulted anyone.

Authorities believe there could be more alleged victims. Anyone with more information is encouraged to contact Shea’s office at 325-641-0746.