Pastor Accused of Fleeing with 16-Year-Old Parishioner Returned to Minnesota

OUTSIDE ST. PAUL, MN -- A local pastor accused of running away with a 16-year-old parishioner after possibly getting the girl pregnant was returned to Minnesota on Wednesday and is scheduled to make his first court appearance today.   

Gustaro Resendiz Talabera, 39, of West St. Paul, is charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine. He is also facing two gross misdemeanor charges of deprivation of custodial or parental rights, each of which has a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $4,000 fine.  

Talabera, who was captured last week, arrived at the Dakota County Jail in Hastings about 7 p.m. Wednesday after being extradited from Illinois, where he and the girl were found Sept. 27.

Authorities say Talabera called his 15-year-old son Sept. 26 and allegedly said he was having an affair with the girl, and that she might be pregnant. Talabera said they were planning to flee to Mexico, where Talabera has relatives, according to court documents.

The girl, who turned 16 in June, sent a text message to her mother and stepfather, telling them that she wanted to “start a new life” with Talabera and asking them to keep police out of it, according to the criminal complaint. 

The girl was taken into protective custody after she was found in Illinois with Talabera.

Talabera was scheduled to appear in court at 11 a.m. today.