RivCo Pastor Accused Of Sex Assault Of Girl

JURUPA VALLEY, CA — A pastor of a Jurupa Valley church was arrested Friday night after a female parishioner — a minor— reported to authorities that the 51-year-old sexually assaulted her at least twice at the church, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Sean Ortiz, lead pastor at New Beginnings Community Church, at 9010 Limonite Ave., was arrested at his Jurupa Valley home, deputies said.

According to the church's website, "Pastor Sean" was executive pastor at the church's Norco campus for seven years before transferring to the Jurupa Valley locale in 2016. The site states he is a married father of three and a grandfather to one.

"We are aware of a possible situation concerning Sean Ortiz which we are in the initial stages of finding out the details," the church said in a statement posted on the Facebook page of its Norco location. "We want to be proactive and err on the side of cautionary proper practice, so we are making you aware of this today. The board will keep you informed as the situation would dictate. Thank you for your trust and know that we care about each person which calls Jurupa Valley Campus their family and their home.''

Ortiz was booked into Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on suspicion of two counts of felony sexua lbattery. He was released after posting $50,000 bail, according to jail records.

Investigators said they hope to hear from any additional victims. Anyone with information related to the case or knows another possible victim, or was one, is asked to call investigators at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station at (951) 955-2600.

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