Southern California Pastor Sentenced to 45 Years for Child Abuse

UPDATE: A Southern California pastor has been sentenced to 45 years to life in prison for the sexual assault of three young girls, marking a significant victory for justice in a harrowing case. Carlos Ramirez Valdez, aged 61, was convicted in August 2025 for crimes committed between 2012 and 2019 while he served as a church leader.

Valdez, previously associated with Iglesia De Dios Ebenezer Church in Santa Ana, was arrested in 2021 after multiple victims came forward. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that during his tenure from 2014 to 2017, he exploited his position of trust to prey on vulnerable children.

Prosecutors detailed the horrific abuse, with one victim starting at just 4 years old. Over a seven-year period, Valdez lured her into the church’s basement and a parked van, where he molested her. This abuse only came to light when she reported it to a school counselor.

In January 2020, two additional victims emerged. One, then 9 years old, disclosed that between 2014 and 2015, Valdez molested her after providing a ride home from church. Another victim, aged 7 and 8, revealed that Valdez repeatedly assaulted her in a backyard shed over an eight-month duration in 2017.

On October 24, 2025, the DA’s office announced the sentencing, which included 11 felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with minors under 14 and three felony counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child 10 or younger.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating,

“Churches should be safe sanctuaries, not hunting grounds for child molesters. These young girls were subjected to unimaginable abuse by someone in a position of trust.”

This case has raised critical concerns about child safety in places of worship, igniting calls for increased vigilance in protecting children from predators. The prosecution of Valdez sends a strong message: the sexual exploitation of children will not be tolerated, and offenders will face severe consequences.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of these revelations, attention turns to preventative measures that can protect vulnerable youth from similar abuse in the future.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.