Foothill Ranch Church Missionary Accused of Molestation

An 80-year-old missionary active in several Orange County churches, including one in Foothill Ranch, has been arrested on suspicion of molesting two young girls.

Douglas Dale Whinery, of Tustin, is accused of molesting two girls under the age of 10 over the course of several years. Authorities are asking the public’s help identifying additional victims.

At the time of the alleged assaults, Whinery was active with Foothill Family Church in Foothill Ranch along with Olive Crest Church in Santa Ana and Grace Church in Yorba Linda, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

He allegedly acted as a missionary to Indian reservations, flying via his personal jet to do missionary work.

Whinery met the girls, who are related, in a Tustin park in November 2011, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Bokosky. The defendant became friendly with the girls' family, giving them money for housing, taking the tots to school and going to church with them, the prosecutor said.

He is accused of molesting them mostly in his home, Bokosky said, between November 2011 through this Easter Sunday, Bokosky said.

A day after Easter, one of the girls told family members about the alleged abuse, the prosecutor said.

Whinery claims to have been a pastor at an area church, but it's unclear when or where, Bokosky said.

City News Service contributed to this report.