DOWNEY (CA)
The Downey Patriot [Downey, CA]
June 9, 2025
By Vincent Medina
Former Downey pastor Jaime Arriaga Pedroza, who allegedly committed multiple felony counts of sexual abuse against a minor, is set to have his preliminary hearing on Monday, Aug. 25.
His attorney and the deputy district attorney agreed to the date during a hearing at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on June 6 so the defense counsel can further prepare.
Pedroza, 41, had served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Downey since January 2024. He was arrested on April 3, after accusations of sexual abuse to a minor. He now faces six felony charges of sexual abuse from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, according to court documents.
These felony charges include five counts of committing lewd acts upon a child aged 14 or 15, and one count of assault with intent-victim under 18-year-old with the intent to commit rape.
Despite the allegations, Pedroza was greeted by a large group of about a dozen supporters when he entered the courtroom. The group, composed mainly of women and wearing predominantly white, stood when he was brought into the courtroom and again when the bailiff took him away.
Pedroza’s attorney, Anthony Raul Garcia, identified the group as supporters and said they included “parishioners and family members.”
Pedroza is being held in custody with no bail. If convicted of the charges, he faces a potential maximum sentence of 14 years in state prison and would be required to register as a sex offender for life.
The now-former pastor was removed from his position at the Downey church on Wednesday, April 2, after the archdiocese received a report alleging his sexual misconduct against a minor, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles wrote in a statement.
“The archdiocese has a long-standing commitment to the protection of minors and reporting the prevention of abuse,” reads the Archdiocese statement. “Allegations of misconduct against anyone serving in the Archdiocese are reported to law enforcement, fully investigated and, under the Zero-Tolerance Policy, anyone who is found to have harmed a minor is permanently removed from any capacity in the Archdiocese.”
The report alleges an incident of sexual abuse against a teenage girl occurred on Saturday, March 22, according to court documents and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Pedroza surrendered to detectives from the LASD Special Victims Bureau on April 3. He was arraigned on April 7.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman commented on the charges in a media release after his arraignment.
“This case alleges unconscionable criminal conduct by a trusted religious leader,” said Hochman. “I commend the bravery of the young victim for coming forward under such difficult circumstances. We are working closely with law enforcement and urge the public to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department with any information on the defendant or potential additional victims.”
The LASD wrote in a news release that detectives believe there might be additional victims based on the nature of the offenses.
OLPH School sent an email to parents the week of his arrest to inform them the victim is not a student at the school.