CLAYMONT, Del. - New Castle County police have charged an ordained minister from Claymont with raping an adolescent girl.

David A. Merritt, 44, was arrested Wednesday after a three-week investigation into allegations that he began sexually abusing the girl in 2006, when she was 12 years old.

Merritt is charged with eight counts of first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree unlawful sexual contact and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child.

Police said Merritt was in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child, but they refused to release further details in order to protect her identity.

Merritt is being held in lieu of $435,000 secured bail.

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/030609_Minister_Charged_With_Raping_Girl