A 70-year-old former pastor faces serious charges after allegedly cornering and sexually assaulting a teenage boy in a Lubbock gym locker room last month.
Reymundo Almaraz, who until recently served at Emmanuel Worship Center in Lubbock, Texas, was arrested following an incident at a TruFit gym near 82nd Street and Slide Road. According to authorities, the assault occurred around 10 p.m. on June 30 when Almaraz allegedly targeted a 17-year-old male at the facility.
The attack itself was particularly disturbing. The teen reported noticing Almaraz behaving suspiciously in the locker room before finding himself trapped in a dressing room. Almaraz allegedly blocked the door with a chair, made sexual demands, and physically assaulted the young man — slamming him against a bar and striking his knee.
How did the teen escape? According to police statements, he managed to break free only after kicking his attacker, creating enough space to flee the scene.
Public assistance proved crucial in identifying the suspect. After police released details of the incident, community tips led authorities to Almaraz, who was taken into custody on Thursday. His bond was set at $100,000, though records indicate he’s no longer being held at the Lubbock County Detention Center.
The timing raises questions about Almaraz’s church departure. A church representative confirmed that Almaraz had “retired some time in the summer” from his pastoral position at Emmanuel Worship Center. Whether this retirement occurred before or after the alleged assault remains unclear.
The case has shocked the Lubbock community, where Almaraz was known as a spiritual leader. TruFit gym, meanwhile, has not issued a public statement regarding security measures or the incident that unfolded on their premises.
Local advocacy groups have pointed to this case as yet another troubling example of alleged abuse by those in positions of trust and authority — a stark reminder that predatory behavior can hide behind even the most respected facades.
