Youth pastor arrested on sexual battery charges

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Hillsborough County deputies have arrested a youth pastor they say had sex with a member of his youth group.

Deputies say 26-year-old Samuel Sutter of Tampa, who is the youth minister at Openwater Church in Odessa, began a sexual relationship with the female victim in October of 2015.  

The relationship began as he was the youth pastor at the church the victim attends and escalated to numerous sexual encounters.  Investigators say the victim told her mother what was happening after the mother discovered sexual pictures, videos and texts exchanged between her daughter and Sutter.  The mother then contacted the sheriff's office. 

Deputies say the sexual encounters occurred primarily at the Sutter's house, but also occurred twice in the ladies' restroom at Openwater Church.

Sutter is facing 5 counts of Lewd and Lascivious behavior with a victim age 12 to 16, and 5 counts of Sexual Battery.