A California pastor who was also employed as a massage therapist is accused of molesting two children over a span of several years, according to authorities.
Investigators suspect there are potentially more victims, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced in a Wednesday, August 26, news release.
The pastor, David Johnson, of Ojai, is facing a slew of charges, including four counts of lewd acts upon a child and two counts of continuous sexual abuse “along with the special allegations of substantial sexual conduct and the victims being under 14 years old,” prosecutors said.
The molestation allegedly occurred in Ojai, which is about an 80-mile drive northwest from Los Angeles, as well as Oxnard, about a 60-mile drive northwest of Los Angeles, according to authorities.
Johnson, 58, is accused of abusing two children who he “had access to” through “a familial relationship,” the district attorney’s office said.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges against him during an arraignment in Ventura County Superior court, according to prosecutors.
Johnson was a former pastor at Live Oak Christian Fellowship, a non-denominational church located in Oak View, according to the Ojai Valley News, which reported the church is no longer operating.
The district attorney’s office didn’t specify where worked as a massage therapist.
Authorities apprehended Johnson in Libbey Park on Monday, August 24, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Detective Michael Loth confirmed to the Ojai Valley News. Court filings reviewed by the newspaper said he allegedly molested two children between 2013 and 2015.
At Johnson’s arraignment, his attorney Bryan Clifton described Johnson as a “pillar of the community for an extended period of time,” the newspaper reported.
Clifton also said, per the newspaper, that the “allegations are severe, but a lot of this is old.”
Johnson is banned from contact with seven people as part of a “no contact” order issued by the judge, according to the newspaper.
Authorities are encouraging anyone who might have information about the alleged abuse or other potential victims of Johnson to come forward.
Online records viewed by Us confirm that Johnson was arrested and booked on Monday, and has an upcoming court date on Friday, August 28.
He has been detained without bail ahead of his bail review hearing, according to prosecutors.
“If you believe you have information about this case or possible other unreported crimes Johnson may have committed, please contact Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Detective Michael Loth at (805) 384-4745,” the district attorney’s office said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
