Former Sanford pastor facing additional sex abuse charges in Volusia

Date Added: November 21, 2025 8:45 am

CASE UPDATE: Yersson Solarte Basto, a former Sanford church pastor who was arrested in May on charges of sexual abuse and molestation of girls in his congregation, has been booked in Volusia County on additional charges for crimes that occurred at his home in DeBary.

In addition to his Sanford charges, VSO detectives have charged Solarte, 33, with 5 counts of sexual battery on a victim under the age of 18.

The VSO investigation found that Solarte used his position of trust to groom the victim and coerce her into multiple instances of sexual abuse.

Solarte was initially taken into custody on May 7 by the Prince William County Police Department in Virginia. He is now being held in the Volusia County Branch Jail with no bond.