Former California Pastor Charged With Molesting Two Children in Ojai and Oxnard

“I WAS A PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY”!!! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, PROSECUTORS SAY A CALIFORNIA PASTOR AND MASSAGE THERAPIST MOLESTED TWO CHILDREN OVER SEVERAL YEARS… AND HE IS NOW BEING HELD WITHOUT BAIL ON MULTIPLE ABUSE CHARGES.

A California pastor who also worked as a massage therapist has been accused of molesting two children over a span of several years, according to authorities.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced the allegations in a news release issued on Wednesday, August 26.

Investigators suspect there are potentially more victims in the case, the district attorney’s office stated.

The defendant, 58-year-old David Johnson of Ojai, is facing a slew of felony charges in Ventura County.

Those charges include four counts of lewd acts upon a child, prosecutors said.

Johnson is also charged with two counts of continuous sexual abuse.

In addition, prosecutors filed special allegations of substantial sexual conduct.

The case also includes special allegations that the victims were under 14 years old, according to prosecutors.

Johnson is accused of abusing two children whom he had access to through a familial relationship, the district attorney’s office said.

Court filings reviewed by the Ojai Valley News stated that Johnson allegedly molested the two children between 2013 and 2015.

According to authorities, the alleged molestation occurred in Ojai, an area located approximately 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

The alleged abuse also took place in Oxnard, which is situated about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles, authorities said.

Johnson formerly served as a pastor at Live Oak Christian Fellowship, according to the Ojai Valley News.

Live Oak Christian Fellowship was a non-denominational church based in Oak View.

The newspaper reported that the church is no longer operating.

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office did not specify where Johnson worked as a massage therapist.

On Monday, August 24, law enforcement officers apprehended Johnson in Libbey Park, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Detective Michael Loth confirmed to the Ojai Valley News.

Online records confirm that Johnson was arrested and booked on Monday.

Following his arrest, Johnson was brought before a judge for an arraignment in Ventura County Superior Court.

During the court proceeding, Johnson pleaded not guilty to all charges filed against him, according to prosecutors.

At the arraignment, defense attorney Bryan Clifton described Johnson as a “pillar of the community for an extended period of time,” the newspaper reported.

Yet the defense attorney also addressed the nature of the allegations.

Per the newspaper, Clifton said that the “allegations are severe, but a lot of this is old.”

A judge issued a no-contact order during the court appearance, according to the newspaper.

Under the terms of that order, Johnson is banned from having contact with seven people.

And prosecutors confirmed that Johnson has been detained without bail ahead of an upcoming bail review hearing.

Online records show that Johnson has an upcoming court date scheduled for Friday, August 28.

Meanwhile, authorities are encouraging anyone who might have information about the alleged abuse or other potential victims of Johnson to come forward.

The district attorney’s office issued a direct request for members of the public to contact investigators with any relevant details.

“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.

Authorities also noted that anyone experiencing child abuse can call or text the Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

He remains held without bail.

His next court appearance is set for Friday, August 28.

The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.