Youth pastor from Riverside arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting girl in Santa Ana church

Santa Ana Police arrested a youth pastor on Tuesday, Oct. 2 on suspicion of a violent sexual assault on a 13-year-old member of his congregation.

Authorities allege that, sometime in March, Jonathan Lamont Jenkins, 57, of Riverside, hid in a women’s restroom at Starlight Baptist Church at 1201 W. Second St., lying in wait for a 13-year-old girl, according to a news release from the Santa Ana Police Department. It said that there, he allegedly strangled his victim after she attempted to flee and sexually assaulted her.

The victim told police Jenkins had been making sexual advances toward her since January, but did not immediately report those or the assault, according to the release.

It said they both attended services at the church, where Jenkins has been a youth pastor for the past two years. The release went on to state that on Sunday, Aug. 5, the suspect allegedly mocked the girl about the incident, saying he would tell police that she allowed the sexual assault to happen.

Detectives found evidence that led to Jenkins’ Tuesday arrest, said the release. He was booked in Orange County on suspicion of aggravated sexual assault of a minor, with bail set at $1 million.

Santa Ana police believe others may have been victimized by the suspect. Officials urge anyone willing to come forward with information that can link him to other crimes to contact Detective Nick Vega at (714)-245-8368 or nvega@santa-ana.org. Anonymous tips can also be left with Orange County Crimestoppers at 1-(855)-TIP-OCCS or https://occrimestoppers.org/.