
Valley minister kills self after warrant served, police say
by Kiali Wong - Apr. 22, 2011 11:39 AM
The Arizona Republic-12 News Breaking News Team
A minister who police allege was trying to lure a teenage girl via a chat room shot himself to death after a search warrant was served at his Phoenix church, according to the Chandler Police Department.
Police went to the church in the 3200 block of East Southern Avenue on Thursday to serve the warrant to Nicholas William Minerva, 52, of Tempe, said Chandler police spokesman Frank Mendoza. Minerva was a minister at the church.
When police contacted Minerva, he barricaded himself inside and later shot himself, Mendoza said.
Chandler police suspected Minerva of luring a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. They alleged that he first made contact with the person in a chat room in July and that the communications continued until Thursday, according to Mendoza.
Minerva's chats via Internet are alleged to have consisted of inappropriate conversations, according to Chandler police. At one point, he is alleged by police to have exposed his genitalia to a web camera.
Mendoza said police are examining whether other victims may exist. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chandler Police Department at 480-782-4130.
Minerva's apparent suicide is now being investigated by the Phoenix Police Department, Mendoza said.