Case # 16NF1457
Date: July 6, 2016
OCDA SEEKING PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF FORMER CHURCH YOUTH DIRECTOR CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY ASSAULTING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL
FULLERTON, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) is seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims of a former church youth director charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Edmundo Nevarez, 44, Pico Rivera, is charged with two felony counts of lewd acts upon a child, one misdemeanor count of child annoyance, and a sentencing enhancement for substantial sexual conduct with a child. If convicted, Nevarez faces a maximum sentence of three years and eight months in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. The defendant is out of custody on $75,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, July 7, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in Department N-3, North Justice Center, Fullerton.
Nevarez was the Director of Youth at The Good Shepherd Family Bible Church (TGSFBC) in Whittier from 2002 to 2012. The defendant had access to over 50 female youth members at the church. At the time of the crime, Nevarez was an active member of TGSFBC and is accused of befriending 14-year-old Jane Doe’s family.
In March 2015, Nevarez is accused of sending numerous sexually explicit texts to Jane Doe.
In April 2015, the defendant is accused of driving Jane Doe to an empty parking lot in Buena Park and sexually assaulting the victim.
In December 2015, Jane Doe’s family member discovered text messages from the defendant on the victim’s phone and contacted the Buena Park Police Department, who investigated this case.
The investigation in this case is ongoing. Anyone with additional information or who believes they may have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Mark Gutierrez at 714-347-8794.
Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Reed of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.