Aliso Viejo Youth Pastor Arrested on Suspicion of Inappropriate Conduct with Teen Boys

Orange County Register
December 10, 2015

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/youth-695570-county-orange.html


A youth pastor at an Aliso Viejo church was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of engaging in inappropriate conduct with multiple teen boys, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Brandon McDade, 30, Mission Viejo, has been booked into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a child and child annoyance.

He is being held on $20,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in Orange County Superior Court on Friday.

Sheriff’s investigators were contacted Monday after deputies received a report of allegations against McDade while he worked as the youth pastor at Grace Hills Church, Lt. Jeff Hallock said.

Several other possible victims were also contacted, each indicating they had engaged in inappropriate conduct with McDade over a two-year period while he was the youth pastor, Hallock said. Some of the incidents are reported to have occurred at the church, he added.

All of the victims attended Grace Hills Church and were part of the youth group, Hallock said. McDade has been employed by the church for about six years, said Hallock.

Grace Hills Church Head Pastor Mike Johnson said his congregation is stunned by McDade’s arrest.

“We at Grace Hills Church are caught totally by surprise and shocked concerning the serious allegations made about a staff member and will cooperate fully with law enforcement in determining the validity of these accusations,” he said in a statement.” Our concerns and prayers are for everyone involved in this incident, both individuals and families.”

Based on McDade’s leadership role and access to youth, investigators believe there may be additional victims, Hallock said.

Attempts to reach McDade or his representative were unsuccessful Thursday.

Anyone with information regarding additional victims is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victim’s Unit at 714-647-7418 or 714- 647-7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@ocregister.com