A Southern California pastor was accused of sexually abusing two boys in exchange for money, officials said.
Fontana resident and pastor of the Muscoy United Methodist Church Stephen Howard was arrested Monday on suspicion of child molestation of a 14-year-old boy and 23-year-old man, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Officials said the man’s abuse began when he was 9-year-old and continued into adulthood. Both the man and boy previously attended Howard’s church.
Authorities began investigating the reports of child molestation on Saturday, March 8. Howard was taken into custody on Monday.
Howard has served as the lead pastor of the church since 2001 and was a youth director at United Methodist Church in Ontario before that.
News
Top news of the day
A 41-year-old pastor from Perris was arrested on sex crimes charges on Thursday. Authorities said Jerome Anthony Clay Sr.’s charges include allegation involving a victim who was under 16 years old.
