KELSO, Wash. - Police have arrested a Kelso pastor who is accused of sexually abusing two girls when he was a leader of a Portland church.
Maximo Akebe, also known as Max Ake, is facing 20 charges, including rape, sodomy and sex abuse.
According to Portland police, the victims recently reported that Akebe sexually assaulted them between 1998 and 2000 while he was a leader of the Peach House ministry, a private, in-home church located near Northeast 53rd Avenue and Northeast Hoyt Street. The girls were 8 and 12 at the time.
In 2006, he became senior pastor of Iglesia De Dios in Kelso. Though the church shares space with High Praises Fellowship Church, police said no one at the High Praises Fellowship Church is involved with the investigation.
Following an investigation, police arrested Akebe in Kelso on June 26.
Church members expressed shock at the revelations released after Akebe’s arrest.
Detectives think there may be more victims and anyone with information is asked to call (503) 823-0182.
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