Aliso Viejo Youth Pastor Accused of Molesting Teen Congregants

A youth pastor at an Aliso Viejo church was behind bars today for allegedly having “inappropriate” contact with children, sometimes on church property.

Brandon McDade, 30, of Mission Viejo, was arrested Wednesday and is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff’s officials said they began investigating McDade Monday after receiving a report of inappropriate conduct. While investigating, detectives contacted several other alleged victims, each of whom indicated there had been inappropriate conduct by McDade over a two-year period when he worked as a youth pastor at Grace Hills Church, according to the sheriff’s department.

“There have been several alleged incidents of lewd and inappropriate conduct, several of which have occurred on the church property,” said Lt. Jeff Hallock, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. “The teenage victims all attended Grace Hills Church and were part of the youth group when the lewd acts occurred. McDade has been employed by the church for approximately six years. Based on the allegations, McDade’s leadership role and access to children, investigators believe there are additional victims.”

Anyone with information was asked to call the sheriff’s department at (714) 647- 7418 or (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips can be made to Orange County Crimestoppers at (855) 847-6227 or occrimestoppers.org.

City News Service