(Jamaica Gleaner) – The Jamaican-born international pastor, who allegedly gave two teenage girls money in exchange for sexual favours, was remanded when he appeared in the Savanna-la-mar Resident Magistrate’s Court late Wednesday afternoon. He has been remanded until July 7.

The police charged Reverend Dr Paul Lewis with carnal abuse and indecent assault following an interrogation which lasted more than two hours.

Lewis was arrested at a crusade in Little London, Westmoreland, after he allegedly had sex with a 15-year-old girl and kissed and fondled a 14-year-old on Saturday. According to reports, Lewis met the 14-year-old girl at the crusade and the two exchanged numbers. It is alleged that he invited the girl to go with him on a trip to Clarendon.

The teenager then asked her 15-year-old friend to accompany her.

The police say that, while on the journey, the pastor fondled and kissed both of the girls. He later reportedly took the girls to a hotel in Negril on his return to Westmoreland, where it is alleged that he had sex with the 15-year-old twice while the other teenager watched.

He then gave them sums of $5,000 and $3,000 each.

Residents who saw the pastor with the girls got suspicious and called the police.

The girls, who were questioned, admitted to the allegations. Lewis, well known locally for baptising popular entertainer Desmond Ballentine, also known as Ninja Man, is a Jamaican who migrated to the United States at the age of 12.

He pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in biblical studies and theology and holds an MBA in theology and a PhD in divinity.

He is an ordained minister who is the founder and president of The Messengers For Christ Ministries World Healing Center, based in New York.