San Diego
Ronnie Steckbauer pleaded innocent Tuesday to 29 new sex charges alleging he molested 14 more boys in Ocean Beach, where Steckbauer ran a Bible study group and a video arcade.
The new charges bring the total to 51 counts of performing lewd, lascivious acts with minors and one count of failing to register as a sex offender.
Municipal Judge Joe Littlejohn rescheduled the preliminary hearing for Steckbauer for March 30.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Rick Clabby said there are a total of 16 victims ages 9 through 17. The alleged acts occurred from 1982 until Dec. 3, 1987.
After hearing arguments from Steckbauer’s attorney, Scott Barnett, and Clabby, Littlejohn reduced bail to $400,000 from $500,000.
Clabby suggested bail at $100,000 and offered to have Steckbauer, 34, live with his girlfriend in the Los Angeles area where he is part owner of a pawn shop.
Barnett said none of the charges represent any force or violence to the victims. He denied Steckbauer was a danger to the community.
A mother of two boys who were in Steckbauer’s group, Linda Anderson, came to court in support of the defendant.
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