Pastor's Son Charged with Molesting Girl in Lake Forest

The 36-year-old son of a church pastor accused of molesting two children in Dana Point and Lake Forest is scheduled to appear in court today for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to move forward with a trial.

Branden Edward Shumate, a former Laguna Niguel resident who was extradited from Hawaii to stand trial in Orange County had asked to act as his own attorney. He is the son of Pastor Tilson Shumate, according to a records search.

According to the complaint filed by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Shumate faces felony charges for allegedly molesting two young girls over the course of several years.

Shumate is accused of molesting a girl under the age of 14 between 1997 and 1998 and, again, between 2003 and 2005.

He allegedly molested another young girl between 2010 and 2011. Listed as a licensed realtor, Shumate has been in custody at the Orange County Jail since his arrest in 2012. He is being held on $1 million bail.

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