Long Island church leader arrested for raping girl from age 12-16

A former Long Island church leader who authorities say raped and sexually abused a girl for four years has been arrested, police said Friday.

Jose Wilfredo Vazquez Cardoza, 49, of Uniondale, was taken into custody by officers with the Nassau County Special Victims Squad on Wednesday. He’s charged with second-degree rape, second-degree criminal sexual act, first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree disseminating indecent material to minors and endangering the welfare of a child.

Cardoza pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday He is being held on $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond.

The suspect, who has been an active member of a church in Amityville since early last year, is accused of sexually abusing the girl “several times” while serving as a church leader and security person at another church, the Iglesia Cristiana Unida, in the neighboring town of Hempstead.

The abuse began in August 2011, when the victim was 12 years old, and lasted until April 2016, authorities said.

A website for the church appeared to be offline Friday morning . A request for comment wasn’t immediately returned.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the case to contact the Special Victims Squad Detectives at 516-573-4022. People can also submit tips online, in English or Spanish, by visiting the Nassau County Crime Stoppers website , or by calling 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

Cardoza is expected back in court on Monday.