Saddleback Church Reels From Youth Mentor's Accusation of Child Molestation

LAKE FOREST, CA — A Saddleback Church youth mentor was saddled with nearly a half-dozen felony charges of child molestation on Tuesday, the Orange County District Attorney's Office said.

Saddleback Church student ministries pastor and elder Kurt Johnston, and executive pastor and elder Steve Johnson submitted a letter to parishioners reflecting on the news. The letter stated that the church elders were "shocked and grieved" to have learned of the allegations against volunteer youth mentor Ruven (aka) Ruben Muelenberg, a popular youth biblical video game creator and author.

When the allegations came to the attention of church officials, they called sheriff's deputies, who arrested the suspect the next day, Johnston and Johnson said.

Read: Saddleback Church Youth Mentor Accused Of Child Molestation

In the letter sent to the congregation, Johnson and Johnston stated that Meulenberg had "no record of arrest or criminal charges" when he submitted to a background check in place to screen volunteers.

"To be considered for volunteering with kids or students, we require fingerprinting, professional background checks and personal interviews," according to the letter.

The church also requires volunteers working with students or children to undergo annual training "regarding appropriate conduct," according to the letter.

Muelenberg is accused of molesting two 14-year-old boys. He was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon on three counts of lewd acts on a child 14 or 15 years old and two counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor younger than 14.

The teens alleged they had "engaged in inappropriate conduct" with Meulenberg over the past year as he volunteered at the church, according to sheriff's officials. Investigators allege some of the "lewd and inappropriate conduct" occurred on the church campus.

One of the boys attends the church and was part of a Junior High Ministry program when he was allegedly molested.

The dates of the alleged incidents are May 22 and May 18 of this year and May 10 of last year, according to court records.

Sheriff's deputies got a tip last Wednesday that the junior high school youth mentor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest was allegedly involved in an "inappropriate relationship" with a 14-year-old boy.

As deputies investigated that report, they found another 14-year-old boy who was also allegedly victimized. Meulenberg has been volunteering at the church for about six years, so investigators are concerned there may be more victims, deputies said.

Anyone with relevant information for investigators was asked to call (714) 647-7418 or (714) 647-7000. Orange County Crime Stoppers will accept anonymous tips at (855) TIP-OCCS.

Photo, courtesy Orange County Sheriff's Department