Suspect in Victory Christian Center sex scandal pleads not guilty

One of the suspects involved in a sex abuse scandal at Victory Christian Center pleaded not guilty Friday.

Israel Castillo, 23, is facing charges of making a lewd proposal to a minor and using a computer to facilitate a sex crime.

Police say he was working as an intern janitor at the church when he started exchanging sexually explicit messages with a 15-year-old on Facebook.

A second former employee, Chris Denman, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree rape, forcible sodomy, lewd molestation and use of a computer to facilitate a sex crime.

Meanwhile, DHS officials say they're still waiting for officials from Victory Christian Center to contact them about the investigation.

Last week, the church vowed it would ask DHS to review how it handles child abuse allegations.

Five church leaders have pleaded not guilty to charges they failed to report the sexual abuse of a child.

Police say the allegations weren't reported for two weeks after a 13-year-old girl said she'd been raped during a church camp.

Castillo is due back in court for a preliminary hearing Oct. 23.