| For Immediate Release Case # 08SF1030
January 14, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP PASTOR TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR HAVING UNLAWFUL SEX WITH FEMALE VICTIM HE MET AT CHURCH
NEWPORT BEACH – A junior high youth group pastor at Capo Beach Calvary Church will be arraigned tomorrow for having an unlawful sexual relationship with a minor victim, whom he met at church. Daniel John Pedroza, 28, Dana Point, is charged with three felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse, two felony counts of oral copulation of a minor, one felony count of sexual penetration by foreign object of a minor, and one misdemeanor count of child annoyance. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of six years and four months in state prison. Pedroza is out of custody on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Jan. 15, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. in Department H-2, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach.
Between July 1, 2008, and Dec. 1, 2008, Pedroza is accused of having an unlawful sexual relationship with the victim on several occasions. Jane Doe was 17 years old at the time of the incident. He is accused of meeting the victim at Capo Beach Calvary Church, where he worked as a pastor for the junior high youth group. Pedroza is accused of having unlawful sex with the victim at his house and at her house while her parents were not home. The victim later disclosed the sexual assault to the Orange County Social Services Agency.
Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Tim Craig at (714) 347-8558. Deputy District Attorney Nikki Buracchio of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
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