ARCADIA, Fla. — The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is investigating an Arcadia pastor for possible child molestation charges. 

Two people who live in separate counties and don’t know each other accused Redemption Church Pastor Scott Erickson of sexual abuse. 

A recently released report from DCSO details two victims who have made allegations against the 51-year-old. The alleged crimes occurred more than five years ago.

One victim, now a teenager, reported they were 10-11 years old at the time of the abuse. The minor reported Pastor Scott Erickson from Redemption Church making sexual comments and actions toward the victim, including being forced to perform oral sex and being touched multiple times. Some details are too graphic to share but examples include:

• “He stated multiple times he wanted to have sex”
• “He started rubbing my shoulders and giving me massages so he could ‘butter me up’ and do what he wanted”
• “He seemed like he manipulated me saying ‘don’t tell anyone I could go to jail’”

ABC7 reached out to Scott Erickson via phone today. He answered but did not want to participate in an interview regarding the allegations. He simply called them crazy.

ABC7 did, however, find a church member who had known Erickson for 15-20 years. 

“I just hope it ain’t true,” Regina James said. “He’s got a heart of gold. He’ll do anything in the world he can for you, not only me, anybody. If somebody walks up to him and says ‘I need $10’, if he got it he’s going to give it to them, that’s just the kind of person he is. I’ll die with that in my heart. I do not believe that. Now if he is proven guilty, that’s a different story but right now I don’t believe he did it.”

DCSO began investigating in April but they have not arrested Erickson or filed charges. Investigators compiled a report and sent it to the State Attorney’s Office, who will then make a decision on whether or not to file criminal charges. 

The report from DCSO also includes allegations by a second victim who alleges being molested by Erickson in Fort Myers in 2009 when the victim was 6 years old. 

Count on ABC7 to keep you updated as this investigation moves forward, and if any criminal charges are filed.