Self-Styled Pastor Is Molestation Suspect
A self-proclaimed pastor was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of molesting two boys from his congregation at his Santa Ana home, police said.
Oscar Mendez, 37, was booked into Santa Ana City Jail on suspicion of lewd conduct with children and possession of child pornography. Bail was set at $100,000.
Police said the alleged molestations occurred seven to 10 days ago.
“He befriended the family and the boys by offering spiritual guidance,” said Santa Ana Police Sgt. Carlos Rojas. “The families trusted him enough to leave the kids alone with their pastor.”
One of the boys’ family members called police Monday and accused the pastor of molesting the boy. Mendez agreed to come to the Police Department for questioning Tuesday morning and was arrested several hours later, police said.
The boys, 9 and 10, were members of Iglesia Candelero de Oro, a self-styled church Mendez operates from the garage of a relative’s home on Haster Street in Garden Grove. The church has fewer than 20 members, and Mendez is not ordained, officials said. He also has a sewing job, they said.
Police said they discovered child pornography magazines and photos in his car.
Police ask that anyone with information call Investigator Jeff Smith at (714) 245-8308.
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