California Youth Pastor Arrested for Sex Crimes, More Victims Suspected
Demetrius Allen is in jail but police believe there may be more victims.
Aug. 11, 2011 — -- A 28-year-old youth pastor in California has been arrested for sex crimes against young girls in his congregation and for possession of child pornography.
Police said they have confirmed one victim, a 15-year-old girl with whom Demetrius Allen allegedly had a sexual relationship for over a year. But police said they have reason to believe that there may be additional victims due to Allen's "access to different youths," Detective Teresa Pikor of the Los Angeles Police Department told ABCNews.com.
"Even though we have filed criminal charges, we're still investigating and still looking at other avenues and other evidence that we have to identify additional victims," said Detective Michael Brox of the Los Angeles Police Department at a news conference today.
Allen was arrested on Aug. 3 following an "extensive investigation," according to police. He met the victim in the youth group and engaged in an illegal sexual relationship with her that lasted 14 months, police said.
Police said Allen molested the teenager in his Grenada Hills home, according to ABC's Los Angeles affiliate KABC. Allen is married and has children.
Poolice Are Looking for More Alleged Victims of California Youth Pastor
Allen was an assistant youth pastor at the First Baptist Church of Venice. The church did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
"I guess there's fondness that takes place, and, basically, in this point, he took advantage of that," Brox said. "And it was the type of relationship that is inappropriate, which is illegal, which is criminal."
Allen has been charged with 10 counts of child molestation, one count of contacting a minor for sexual offense and one count of possession of child pornography.
Police say other kids were talking about the relationship through social media, but would not elaborate. Pikor said that the girl's family reported the situation to police.
"Anytime that a person actually targets youth and you're an adult, I consider that a predator," Brox said.
Allen is being held on $1 million bail and police are asking that anyone with information on the case or unreported cases call the Los Angeles Police Department.