RIVERSIDE (CA)
San Bernardino Sun [San Bernardino CA]
June 6, 2026
By City News Service
An 81-year-old pastor who sexually assaulted a Moreno Valley girl was sentenced Friday to 10 years to life in state prison.
David Lee Helbling of Moreno Valley pleaded guilty in April to kidnapping to commit rape and lewd acts on a child under 14 years old under an agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for his admissions, prosecutors dropped four related charges against Helbling.
During a hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Friday, Superior Court Judge Arthur Bocanegra certified the terms of the plea deal and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Robert Martinez, deputies were informed at the end of January 2024 of an attack on the victim in the 23000 block of Hemlock Avenue, near Pigeon Pass Road.
The ensuing investigation led to the identification of Helbling, a local minister, as the perpetrator.
Martinez said that a search warrant was obtained and served at the defendant’s residence, where “evidence related to the crime was collected, and Helbling was taken into custody without incident.”
Court papers indicated the defendant committed the offenses all on the same day — Jan. 30, 2024.
“In connection with the commission of the offenses, Helbling … kidnapped the victim, and the movement of the victim substantially increasedthe risk of harm,” according to the criminal complaint. “The defendant resided in the same home, and had recurring access (to her) with the intent of arousing, appealing to and gratifying (his) lust, passions and sexual desires.”
No other details were disclosed by authorities, including the exact relationship between the defendant and victim, or the house of worship where Helbling had presided.
But a social media post attributed to Helbling and viewed in 2024 said he’s held multiple positions at Assemblies of God USA, and online videos show him preaching and participating in services at the Blessing Center First Assembly of God, on Hemlock Avenue in Moreno Valley.
The Press-Enterprise contributed to this story.