Church Leader Accused Of Raping Girl, 12: Nassau Police

UNIONDALE, NY — A Uniondale man is accused of having sex with a young girl for years while a church leader, Nassau police said.

According to the Special Victims Squad, Jose Wilfredo Vazquez Cardoza, 49, had sexual relations with a girl many times from when she was 12 years old until she was 16, between Aug. 21, 2011 and April 7, 2016. He was at the time a church leader/security for Iglesia Cristiana Unida in Hempstead.

Since March 2023, the 482 Maple Ave. resident has been an active member/elder of the Iglesia Misionera El Redentor in Amityville, police said.

He was located by detectives and Cardoza was charged with second-degree rape, second-degree criminal sexual act, first-degree sexual abuse, desseminating indecent material to minors and endangering the welfare of a child, police said. He was due to be arraigned on Thursday at First District Court in Hempstead, police said.

Detectives are seeking other victims. They ask anyone with information to contact the Special Victims Squad Detectives at (516) 573-4022 or Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.