BUCKEYE, Ariz. -- A Valley pastor has been arrested on suspicion of using his job to sexually assault troubled women, Buckeye police said.

Charles Carfrey, 59, is the pastor of the Choices Church at 408 E. Eason Ave. in Buckeye.

Carfrey was holding counseling sessions with three local victims and a fourth in Oregon, said Detective Doug Dodge.

"He would gain the trust of the victims, and then the counseling sessions would take on a sexual tone," Dodge said.

Carfrey was arrested on Friday by the Buckeye Police Department. Officers said they had assistance from the U. S. Marshal's Service Child Predator Apprehension Team and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Carfrey was booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail on charges of sexual abuse, running a criminal syndicate and sexual conduct with a minor.

Police said the victims were both adult women and teenage victims.

Carfrey's neighbors said the church appeared more like a cult to them.

"You'd have to be here, living next to him for six years, it was really strange," said Dawn Akin, who lives next door to Carfrey. "It was like a commune, and there were always a lot of people."

Reporter Peter Busch contributed to this story.