A former Saddleback Church youth pastor has been hit with new charges related to the molestation of a fourth teenage boy, officials said Wednesday.
Ruven Meulenberg, 39, already awaiting retrial for prior allegations, is accused of abusing the latest victim, identified only as John Doe 4, while driving him home from church events between June 2017 and June 2018. The boy was 14 years old at the time of these alleged incidents. This comes after the previous conviction was overturned on the basis that a juror had misconducted by improperly discussing information during the trial.
Meulenberg is charged with a felony count of a lewd act on a child 14 or 15 years old who is at least 10 years younger than him. This latest charge has been added to an existing complaint about a third victim, John Doe 3, whom Meulenberg allegedly molested multiple times during private outings, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the accused's actions, stating, “Strong mentors are meant to help our children navigate the difficulties of growing up and realize their full potential. Instead of providing the spiritual guidance he pretended to provide, this youth pastor seized on the vulnerabilities of these children for his sick sexual gratification.” Spitzer added that Meulenberg's actions have caused immense distrust and damage to the faith of the victims and other parishioners.
If convicted on all charges across both cases, Meulenberg faces a potential maximum sentence of life in prison plus 10 years and eight months. The prosecution has suggested that the defendant molested multiple victims, which qualifies him for a life sentence. Currently, he remains out on bail, closely monitored by a GPS device while awaiting his upcoming trials, as per the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Juliet Oliver of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting the case against Meulenberg.
