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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 5:49 p.m., Friday, May 1, 2009

Former Kaneohe pastor pleads guilty to sex assault, to serve at least 6 years

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Manuel Taboada

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A former Kane'ohe pastor accused of sexually molesting a church member will serve six to 10 years in prison under a plea agreement reached today.

Manuel Guillermo Taboada, 56, also known as "Memo," was charged on July 23, 2008, with seven counts of first- and second-degree sexual assault for allegedly molesting a member of a family that belonged to his ministry. The victim told police she and her family lived with Taboada in a Kane'ohe home, according to court filings.

Under the plea agreement, Taboada pleaded guilty to eight counts of second-degree sexual assault.

Each count is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison. Under the plea agreement, Taboada will serve the terms concurrently and will serve a minimum of six years. The Hawai'i Paroling Authority will later determine how long Taboada must be imprisoned before he is eligible for parole.

An O'ahu grand jury last year indicted Taboada on charges of sexually molesting a member of his ministry over an eight-year period, starting when she was 12.

According to court documents, the molestation started in March 1999, when the victim moved into Taboada's Kane'ohe home. It ended in April 2007, when the victim was 20.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.