Charges Pend Against Youth Camp Director

Prosecutors have yet to file charges against a Thousand Oaks youth camp director suspected of molesting children, and could wait another week before making a final decision on the case.

“According to the defense attorney, there’s some information out there that he feels we need to look at,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Patricia Murphy, who heads the prosecution’s unit on sexual assault and family protection. “We’ll move as fast as we can to obtain that information, and then decide whether to file charges.”

An arraignment has been tentatively scheduled March 18 for William Allen Clemens, 29, who headed the Young Set Club youth camp at 400 Rolling Oaks Drive.

Clemens’ attorney, Philip Remington Dunn of Thousand Oaks, said he submitted information to the D.A.’s office Monday concerning “the credibility of individuals who are making the accusations.”

“We’re looking into prior allegations at least one of the individuals made against another individual,” Dunn said.

Clemens, a Simi Valley resident who directed the camp since 1996, was placed on administrative leave Dec. 15 after school officials received a complaint from a parent, according to camp spokeswoman Susan Blake.

Clemens turned himself in to authorities last week and was booked into Ventura County Jail on suspicion of three felony counts of child molestation, one misdemeanor count of child annoying, and two misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure. He posted $20,000 bail and was released the same day.

The alleged incidents date from several years ago to as recently as December and involved two juveniles and an adult male, said Sheriff’s Det. Kent Adlof.

According to Dunn, one of those making the accusations is now in his early 20s, and another is around 16.

Sheriff’s deputies have refused to discuss details of the case, including the ages of the alleged victims.

Dunn said there has been an outpouring of support for Clemens.

“I have a stack of letters right here,” he said. “People are saying, ‘We left our children with him, and we trust him implicitly.’ ”