News Summary
Carlos Ramirez Valdez, a 61-year-old pastor, has been convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault against three young girls he met through various churches in Southern California. The jury found him guilty of several felony counts related to lewd acts with minors under 14. Valdez was an active member of the local church community, using his position to exploit the trust of families. The investigation began when victims reported the abuse, leading to his arrest in 2021. He faces a maximum sentence of 120 years to life in prison during upcoming sentencing.
Santa Ana – Carlos Ramirez Valdez, a 61-year-old pastor, has been convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault against three young girls he met through various churches in Southern California. The conviction comes after a lengthy investigation following Valdez’s arrest in 2021.
The jury found Valdez guilty of seven felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14. In addition, he was convicted of three counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child aged 10 or younger. The jury also confirmed a sentencing enhancement due to Valdez having multiple victims. He served as a pastor at the International Mission Church USA, located at 505 S. Main St. in Santa Ana at the time of his offenses.
Valdez was active in the local church community, having been a member of the Iglesia De Dios Ebenezer Church in Santa Ana from 2014 to 2017. Over the years, he built a rapport with church members, which allowed him to exploit the trust of families and children.
Details of the Abuse
The first victim, who was merely 8 years old at the time, reported that Valdez lured her into his van during a church service under the guise of needing help with her hair. This manipulation led to a horrific pattern of abuse that lasted for three years, with the assaults beginning in a church parking lot. The victim recalled being molested from second to fifth grade, detailing incidents that also occurred in Valdez’s home in Riverside, where he exposed her to adult content.
A second victim, who was 9 years old when the abuse occurred, stated that the molestation took place during Valdez’s tenure as a deacon at a church. The third victim revealed that her abuse began when she was around 6 years old in a Santa Ana church and continued when they resided together in Riverside.
Reporting and Investigation
The investigation began when one of the victims approached the Riverside police in January 2020, claiming she had been molested by Valdez in 2017. Following this, another victim reported to Garden Grove police in January 2020, detailing her molestation by Valdez in 2015. These reports provided law enforcement with sufficient evidence to pursue charges against him.
Upcoming Sentencing
Valdez is scheduled for sentencing on October 24, where he faces a potential maximum sentence of 120 years to life in prison. This sentence would reflect the seriousness of his convictions and the impact on the lives of multiple victims.
Community Concerns
The case has sparked considerable concern within the community about the safeguarding measures in place at religious institutions and the accountability of religious leaders. Many parents and community members are now questioning how to better protect children and ensure that such abuses do not happen in the future.
In summary, Carlos Ramirez Valdez’s conviction highlights alarming issues within religious environments where trust can be easily exploited. The outcomes of his case may influence discussions on child safety and changes in policies within churches throughout the region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Church Elder Arrested on Multiple Felony Charges
Newport Beach Church Elder Charged with Sexual Assault
Elder Charged with Multiple Felonies of Sexual Assault
Additional Resources
- News Santa Ana
- Wikipedia: Sexual Abuse
- OC Register
- Google Search: Santa Ana pastor sexual assault
- Patch
- Google Scholar: Church Sexual Abuse
- RCNS
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Abuse
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
