Youth leader sexually assaulted 11-year-old during church service, police say

SANTA ANA, Calif. (FOX 11) - A church youth leader in Santa Ana was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly sexually assaulting two young girls who are members of the church, authorities said.

Detectives arrested Jesse Francisco Hernandez Perez, 22, of Anaheim, was arrested for aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Perez is a youth leader for the Iglesia De Restauracion church located at 1621 East 17th Street in Santa Ana. Perez has been a member of the church for the past three years and was involved in the church's music program.

Investigators said that an 11-year-old girl reported that on March 5, 2019, Perez communicated with her during church services and lured her into a restroom where he sexually assaulted her. The victim did not immediately disclose this incident and continued to attend church services with her family.

Santa Ana Police said detectives learned that Perez sexually assaulted a second victim, a 14-year-old girl from Anaheim, while leading a youth program from his home. That victim reported the incident to the Anaheim Police Department sometime in March 2019.

Perez was arrested at his home on Wednesday morning. He was booked at the Orange County Jail on multiple child abuse charges and his bail was set at $100,000.00.

Santa Ana Police Department Detectives believe there may be additional victims and ask anyone with information to contact Detective Corporal Johanna Perez at 714-245-8351, jperez5@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.