UPDATE: A Southern California pastor has been sentenced to 45 years to life in prison for the sexual assault of three young girls, a shocking case that has sent ripples through the community. Carlos Ramirez Valdez, 61, was convicted of multiple offenses that occurred between 2012 and 2019, as confirmed by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Valdez, who served as a church leader at Iglesia De Dios Ebenezer Church in Santa Ana from 2014 to 2017, exploited his position of trust to prey on vulnerable children. He was arrested in 2021 while serving as pastor at International Mission Church USA in Santa Ana.
Prosecutors revealed harrowing details about the abuse. One victim, who was just 4 years old at the time, endured sexual assault over a seven-year period. Valdez lured her into the church’s basement or his van parked in the church lot, where the attacks occurred. The courageous girl eventually reported the abuse to a school counselor, leading to a police investigation.
Two additional victims were identified in early 2020. One girl, aged 9, recounted how Valdez molested her after giving her a ride home from church between 2014 and 2015. Another victim, aged 7 and 8, disclosed repeated assaults in a backyard shed during 2017.
In August 2025, Valdez was convicted on 11 felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14, along with three felony counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child aged 10 or younger. On October 24, the DA’s office announced his sentence—an urgent reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from predators.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed grave concern over the case, stating,
“Churches should be safe sanctuaries, not hunting grounds for child molesters. The sexual exploitation of children will never be acceptable, and predators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
This case highlights the critical need for vigilance within communities to protect young individuals. As the legal proceedings conclude, the impact on the victims and their families is profound, emphasizing the ongoing conversation around safety in places of worship.
As the story develops, authorities encourage anyone with additional information or similar experiences to come forward. The community must remain alert to prevent such egregious acts from occurring again.
