Youth Pastor Arrested For Aggravated Sexual Assault And Threats To A 12-Year-Old
Photo: Jonathan Lamont Jenkins
Santa Ana – Investigation into a sexual assault of a 12-year-old led SAPD Detectives to the arrest of Starlight Baptist Church youth pastor Jonathan Lamont Jenkins (57) of Riverside at a Santa Ana liquor store.
First of all, Jenkins had been making sexual advances toward the girl since January 2018. In March 2018 the victim was attending service when she went to what she believed to be an empty restroom.
Next, Jenkins, waiting inside the restroom, held the victim against her will. The victim attempted to escape, but Jenkins held her against her will and threatened the child with physical violence.
Jenkins strangled and sexually assaulted her. The terrified child “did not immediately report this incident and continued attending church,” said Detective Nick Vega. “On August 5th, Jenkins contacted the victim at church and mocked her about the sexual assault. Jenkins told the victim if she reported this to the police, he would say she allowed the sexual assault to occur.”
As a result of this threat, the now 13-year-old child found her voice and sought help. An investigation ensued against the youth pastor who’d been at the church located at 1201 Second Street in Santa Ana since 2012.
Subsequently, evidence obtained against Jenkins led to his arrest as he entered the Santa Ana liquor store on October 2nd. Jenkins now has multiple child abuse charges, which include aggravated assault on a minor. Bail is set at $1,000,000.
SAPD Detectives believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Nick Vega at 714-245-8368, nvega@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
