Former Musician for the Archdiocese of Orange County Arrested for Child Molestation
Photo: Michael Medeiros
A former musician for the Archdiocese of Orange County has been arrested for allegedly committing multiple lewd acts on a juvenile girl since 2018.
The suspect, 34-year-old Michael Medeiros of Lake Forest, was arrested by investigators from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail on March 13, 2020, and charged with two counts of felony child molestation.
Medeiros had been employed as a full-time musician by the Archdiocese of Orange County since 2006. After the church became aware of the allegations, Medeiros was fired in February 2020.
During his time of employment, Medeiros worked at the following locations: Kid Row Rehearsals in Los Angeles, San Francisco Solano Catholic Church in Rancho Santa Margarita, Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ladera Ranch, and Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano. Medeiros additionally gave private lessons at ministry retreats for students of Santa Margarita Catholic High School and Junipero Serra High School. The retreats were held in San Juan Capistrano.
“Due to Medeiros having continued access and contact with children over the past 14 years, investigators believe there may additional victims,” according to the release. “Medeiros was known to the victim who was under the age of 14 when the molestation occurred.”
Anyone with information on the suspects or victims is asked to call the Special Victims Detail at (714) 647-7419 or to leave an anonymous tip through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
