DANA POINT – Capo Beach Calvary Church's junior high ministry director was arrested at the church this morning on suspicion of having a "sexual relationship" with a teenage female enrolled in his program. Daniel J. Pedroza Jr., 28, of San Clemente will be charged with six felony counts, Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino said.
"We received a child-abuse report from social services detailing that a minor female between the ages of 14 and 18 disclosed she had been engaged in a sexual relationship with her youth pastor," he said.
Investigators arrested Pedroza at the Capistrano Beach church around 10:30 a.m. today.
“I’m aware that there is an investigation going on, and I am fully cooperating with the authorities,” church pastor Craig Whittaker said.
He declined further comment on the case, citing the ongoing investigation.
Amormino said investigators think there may be additional victims, and he urged anyone with more information to contact the Sheriff's Department at 714-628-7170.
Contact the writer: ccaesar@ocregister.com, or 949-454-7309
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