Southern California Pastor Sentenced to 45 Years for Child Assaults

UPDATE: A former Southern California pastor has been sentenced to 45 years to life in prison for the sexual assault of three young girls, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Carlos Ramirez Valdez, 61, was convicted in August 2025 for heinous crimes that took place between 2012 and 2019.

Valdez, who served as a church leader at Iglesia De Dios Ebenezer Church in Santa Ana from 2014 to 2017, was arrested in 2021 while pastoring at International Mission Church USA. His victims, some as young as 4 years old, were lured into vulnerable situations within church premises or nearby locations.

The abuse spanned years, with one girl being assaulted over a seven-year period. She reported her trauma to a school counselor after enduring repeated molestation in the church basement and a parked van. Two additional victims were identified in early 2020.

One girl, age 9 at the time of her assault, disclosed to police that Valdez molested her after giving her rides home from church between 2014 and 2015. Another victim reported being molested in a backyard shed over an eight-month span when she was 7 and 8 years old in 2017.

Valdez was convicted of 11 felony counts related to lewd acts with minors and three counts of sexual penetration of a child under age 10. On October 24, 2025, the DA’s office confirmed his sentencing, representing a significant moment in the fight against child exploitation.

“Churches should be safe sanctuaries, not hunting grounds for child molesters,” stated District Attorney Todd Spitzer. He emphasized that the sexual exploitation of children is intolerable and that predators will face the full force of the law.

This case raises urgent concerns about child safety within community institutions and highlights the critical need for vigilance and support for survivors. As legal proceedings conclude, the community is urged to remain watchful to prevent such tragedies in the future.

As this story develops, the public is encouraged to share this information to raise awareness about the safety of children in places of worship and the ongoing fight against child sexual abuse.