ANAHEIM PASTOR SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING FOUR YOUNG FEMALE PARISHIONERS

For Immediate Release
Case # 09NF2764

 


July 22, 2010

Susan Kang Schroeder
Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486

ANAHEIM PASTOR SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING FOUR

YOUNG FEMALE PARISHIONERS

 

FULLERTON – A pastor was sentenced today to six years in state prison for sexually assaulting four female parishioners, whom he met through their church. Jose Rama Campoverde, 46, Anaheim, pleaded guilty to one felony count of lewd acts on a child under 14, five felony counts of lewd acts on a child, two misdemeanor counts of child annoyance, and a sentencing enhancement allegation for lewd acts on multiple children. In addition to his six year prison sentence, Campoverde has also been ordered to register as a sex offender.

 

Jane Doe #1

On April 15, 2007, Campoverde, a pastor at Anaheim church Ministerio Cristo Vive, put his hand down the shirt of 13-year-old Jane Doe #1. From April 2007 to September 2009, the defendant touched the victim’s buttocks on two occasions. He also kissed and hugged Jane Doe #1.

 

Jane Doe #2

In March 2009, Campoverde befriended 15-year-old Jane Doe #2 through the church. During a visit to the victim’s house, the defendant hugged Jane Doe #2 from behind, pressing his body up against hers, and kissed her on the cheek. He touched her upper thigh, near her buttocks.

 

Jane Doe #3

In July 2004, Campoverde was watching a movie with 14-year-old Jane Doe #3 at the church and kissed the victim on the cheek. That same month, while teaching the victim how to drive, he put his hand over the victim’s hand on the stick shift and caressed it. He grabbed her hand and put it back on the stick shift when she pulled away. In March 2009, Campoverde hugged Jane Doe #3, then-17 years old, and touched her buttocks.

 

Jane Doe #4

In May 2009, Campoverde picked up 16-year-old Jane Doe #4 from school. He caressed the victim’s cheek and massaged her leg and arm. The defendant attempted to touch her vagina and kiss her.

 

On Sept. 11, 2009, Jane Doe #4 reported the assault to an Anaheim police officer. During the investigation, officers learned of the sexual assaults against the other three victims after Jane Doe #4 indicated that there may be more victims from the church. A protective order was issued against the defendant, barring him from having any contact with the victims directly or through a third party.

 

During the sentencing today, Jane Doe #2 and the mother of Jane Doe #4 gave victim impact statements.