PORTLAND, Ore. – Police last week arrested a pastor who allegedly raped children, authorities said Wednesday.

Police photo

Child rape suspect Maximo Ake-Be

Maximo Ake-Be, 31, faces charges of rape, sodomy and sex abuse in connection with a series of sexual assaults dating back to 1998, said Portland Police Sergeant Brian Schmautz.

Ake-Be appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded innocent on all charges. A judge set bail at $4.5 million.

The investigation began when two alleged victims recently reported that Ake-Be sexually assaulted them between 1998 and 2000. During that time, the girls and their families attended The Peach House, a private in-home church located in the 5300 block of Northeast Hoyt Street.

The girls were approximately eight and twelve years old when the alleged abuse began.

In 2006, Ake-Be became the Senior Pastor of Iglesia De Dios, located at 400 South Pacific Avenue in Kelso, Wash.

Investigators believe there are additional victims, associated with either The Peach House Church or the High Praises Fellowship Church, who have not yet come forward.

Iglesia De Dios shares space with High Praises Fellowship Church in Kelso. No one affiliated with High Praises Fellowship Church is a suspect in the investigation.

Also: Portland pastor gets 3 years for sex abuse

Ake-Be is in the U.S. illegally, police said. Immigration has placed a hold on him.

He will appear in court again on August 13. Ake-Be's wife told KGW she believes he's innocent.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call (503) 823-0182, or (360) 577-3412.

(KGW reporter Amy Troy contributed to this article.)