Lake Forest Music Teacher Arrested On Child Molestation Charges

LAKE FOREST, CA — A Lake Forest musician was arrested on suspicion of molesting a 14-year-old girl this week, the Orange County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Detail said.

Investigators arrested Michael Mederios, 34, of Lake Forest, for multiple acts of sexual assault on an underage girl beginning in 2018.

Medeiros previously worked for the Archdiocese Orange County and was fired in February 2020 after the church was notified about the allegations.

He has worked full-time as a musician for the Archdiocese Orange County since 2006 at the following locations:

• Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano
• Holy Trinity Catholic Church Ladera Ranch
• San Francisco Solano Catholic Church
• Rancho Santa Margarita
• Kid Row Rehearsals in Los Angeles

He also attended ministry retreats for:

• Santa Margarita Catholic High School
• Junipero Serra High School in San Juan Capistrano

Medeiros also gave private music lessons, according to the OCSD.

"Due to Medeiros having continued access and contact with children over the past 14 years, investigators believe there may be additional victims," a spokesperson for the OCSD said in a recent release.

Please contact the Special Victims Detail at (714) 647-7419 if you have any information. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.