Michael Cornelis Weitenberg, a 55-year-old from Mairangi Bay, was charged in reference to the Northland underage sex trafficking case.
He appeared in Kaikohe District Court on Tuesday afternoon through audio-visual link.
Through lawyer Karl Trotter, Weitenberg admitted one charge of receiving commercial sexual services from a 15-year-old in Paihia earlier this year.
He was remanded on bail, with the date and site of his sentencing to be determined.
Weitenberg is that the founder and pastor of Futurecaster Church, alittle Pentecostal church supported Auckland’s North Shore.
The church's website, which has recently been deleted, described him as a prophet and senior elder.
“Contemporary apostolic-prophet on a journey. He has worked for quite 21 years, in over 30 nations as a proven prophet,” the web site said.
Weitenberg’s ex-wife, Kirsty Swan, said it had been a shock for her and their two children to listen to of the charge.
“As far as i do know , Mike had no criminal past or charges, he’s been a pastor of a church for the past 35 years approximately ,” she said.
“Over the past five years approximately he has spent weeks and weeks up in Paihia on his own staying in motels under the guise of ‘studying the bible’ for his newly earned doctorate.”
CONDEMNATION FROM NORTHLANDERS
Weitenberg's actions are condemned by Northlanders, including Kaikohe pastor Mike Shaw from organisation Stop Demand, which works to scale back the demand that drives the worldwide sex trade.
“Our kids need our love and protection, not degradation and violation,” Shaw said.
“Each guilty man during this case must feel the anger of our community – and therefore the full weight of the law.”
NEWS Source:stuff button
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