Irvine News Blog | Category Archives: Lake Forest

Lake Forest Pastor’s son charged with molesting two girls under 14

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Editor Posted in Churches, Crime, Irvine, Lake Forest, News, OCDA Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case #12HF2093

Date: January 20, 2016

FORMER CHURCH ASSISTANT TO FACE TRIAL FOR MOLESTING TWO GIRLS UNDER 14 AFTER BEFRIENDING THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH THE CHURCH

WESTMINSTER, Calif. – A former church assistant is scheduled to face trial for molesting two girls under the age of 14 after befriending their families through the church. Branden Edward Shumate, 37, Koloa, Hawaii, is charged with three felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14 with a sentencing enhancement allegation for committing lewd acts upon multiple victims. If convicted, Shumate faces a maximum sentence of 45 years to life in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. Opening statements are scheduled to begin tomorrow, Jan. 21, 2016, at 8:30 a.m., in Department W-9, West Justice Center, Westminster.

Between Sept. 13, 1997, and Sept. 12, 1998, the defendant, then 18 years old, is accused of working as an assistant in a church where his father was a pastor and leader of the church in Lake Forest. During that time the defendant is accused of organizing a trip to an Irvine water park for members of the church. Continue reading→

The OCDA seeks additional victims of former pastor who raped and abused church members

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor Posted in Crime, Lake Forest, News, OCDA Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15HF1452

Date: December 3, 2015

OCDA SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF FORMER PASTOR CHARGED WITH FORCIBLY RAPING FEMALE CHURCH MEMBER AND SEXUALLY ABUSING THREE OTHERS

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) is seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims of a former church pastor charged with forcibly raping a female church member and sexually abusing three other female church members. Sean Patrick Aday, 38, Lake Forest, is charged with one felony count of forcible rape, one felony count of sodomy by force, one felony count of sexual penetration by foreign object and force, three felony counts of sexual battery by restraint, and four misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 29 years in state prison. He is out of custody on $500,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Dec. 4, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At the time of the crime, Aday was working as a youth pastor at Grace Community Church in Lake Forest. He is accused of sexually assaulting four adult female church members on church property or during church trips overseas. Continue reading→

Former youth pastor at Grace Community Church in Lake Forest charged with sexual assault

Posted on November 7, 2015 by Editor Posted in Churches, Crime, Lake Forest, News, Orange County Sheriff Leave a comment

Sean Patrick Aday

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042. JHallock@ocsd.org; Carrie Braun, 714.647.1848, CBraun@ocsd.org

Investigators Seek Additional Victims of Sexual Assault Suspect

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (November 7, 2015) – On Friday, November 6, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victim’s Unit investigators arrested Sean Patrick Aday, 38, Lake Forest, on charges related to multiple incidents of sexual assault. Aday was arrested during a traffic stop following several weeks of investigation that included interviews with several female victims.

In October 2015, Sheriff’s investigators were contacted by a female victim indicating she had been sexually assaulted by Aday while he worked as the youth pastor at Grace Community Church in the City of Lake Forest. During the course of the investigation, several other victims were contacted, each indicating they had been sexually assaulted by Aday over the course of the last several years while he was employed as the youth pastor at Grace Community Church. The sexual assaults occurred inside the church, on church property, in various places in Orange County and during church sponsored international trips (Costa Rica, Moldova & South Africa). Continue reading→

Lake Forest bank robbery suspect arrested

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Editor Posted in Banks, Crime, Lake Forest, News, Orange County Sheriff, Tustin Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org

Carrie Braun, 714.647.1848, CBraun@ocsd.org

Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (September 21, 2015) – On Monday, September 21, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Chandler Graham, 52, Los Angeles, in connection with an armed robbery at the Eagle Community Credit Union located at 23021 Lake Center Drive, in Lake Forest. Graham was arrested near the intersection of Red Hill Avenue and El Camino Real in the City of Tustin, following a short vehicle pursuit.

At approximately 10:46 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Eagle Community Credit Union for a report of a robbery in progress. Responding deputies were provided a description of Graham and indicated he left in a tan or gold sedan. Approximately six minutes later, a deputy observed the vehicle matching the description travelling northbound Interstate 5, approaching Sand Canyon Road. The vehicle exited Tustin Ranch Road and a short vehicle pursuit ensued before the vehicle yielded near Red Hill Avenue and El Camino Real in the City of Tustin. Graham, the driver and lone occupant in the vehicle, was taken into custody without incident or injury. Continue reading→

Suspect arrested in Lake Forest following a pursuit of a vehicle stolen in San Diego

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Editor Posted in Crime, Lake Forest, News, Orange County Sheriff, Yorba Linda Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Suspect Arrested Following Pursuit of Stolen Vehicle

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (August 29, 2015) – On Saturday, August 29, 2015 at approximately 2:30 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a suspect following the pursuit of a stolen 2004 Ford F-250 truck he was driving. The pursuit terminated when the suspect crashed into the service bay area of the 76 gas station located on the northwest corner of El Toro Road and Trabuco Road. Deputies took the suspect into custody after a short foot pursuit following the collision.

Shortly before 2:00 p.m. this afternoon, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies in Yorba Linda picked up a Lo-Jack signal in the area of the 91 freeway and Yorba Linda Boulevard. The Sheriff’s Department airship “Duke” was in the area and responded to assist with determining the source of the signal. Duke was quickly able to establish the exact location of the signal and identify the stolen vehicle as it travelled southbound on the 241 from the 91 freeway. The vehicle exited Santiago Canyon Road and continued southbound through Silverado Canyon. Once ground units assembled, a felony traffic stop was initiated on westbound El Toro Road and Live Oak Canyon Road. The vehicle failed to yield and was pursued westbound El Toro Road for approximately 2-3 miles. As the vehicle entered the intersection of El Toro Road and Trabuco Road it clipped another vehicle, causing the suspect to lose control, drive over the curb and collide with the 76 gas station service bay. The suspect exited the vehicle and a short foot pursuit ensued through an adjacent commercial complex before he was taken into custody. Continue reading→

Suspected DUI driver crashes during pursuit by Sheriff’s Deputies

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Editor Posted in Crime, Irvine, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, News, Orange County Sheriff Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org

Suspected DUI Driver Crashes During Pursuit by Deputies

LAKE FOREST, Calif. – (January 10, 2015) – On Friday, January 9, 2015 at approximately 10:30 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies initiated a pursuit of a 2002 Ford Explorer in the area of Toledo Way and Serrano Road. The driver of the vehicle was suspected by deputies of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Deputies pursued the vehicle for approximately (5) minutes through the cities of Lake Forest, Irvine and Mission Viejo. The pursuit terminated on southbound Trabuco Road near Carlota Road, Mission Viejo, when the vehicle was unable to negotiate a curve in the road and collided with an embankment.

As a result of the collision, the 18 year-old female driver was ejected from the vehicle and suffered life-threatening injuries. She was transported to a nearby hospital where she remains in grave condition. A 20-year old male passenger in the vehicle sustained moderate injuries and remains hospitalized; an 18 year-old female passenger in the vehicle sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from an area hospital. Continue reading→

Two south O.C. residents charged with running an $11M Ponzi scheme

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Editor Posted in Crime, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, News, OCDA Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14HF3054

December 3, 2014

Two OC residents arraigned in $11 million Ponzi scheme

Over 27 victims targeted with sale of unsecured securities based on fraudulent insurance policies

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Two Orange County residents were arraigned in an $11 million Ponzi scheme victimizing over 27 people with sale of unsecured securities based on fraudulent insurance policies. Joseph Francis Bartholomew, 75, Lake Forest, is charged with one felony count of the use of a device or scheme to defraud and 28 felony counts of using an untrue statement in the purchase or sale of a security with sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime over $500,000 and loss greater than $3.2 million. If convicted, Bartholomew faces a maximum sentence of 42 years in state prison. Bartholomew is being held on $11.3 million bail and must prove that the money comes from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond.

Co-defendant Wendy King-Jackson, 54, Laguna Niguel, is charged with one felony count of the use of a device or scheme to defraud and two felony counts of the use of an untrue statement or omission in connection with the purchase or sale of a security with sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime over $500,000 and loss greater than $3.2 million. If convicted, King-Jackson faces a maximum sentence of 16 years in state prison. Both defendants will be arraigned on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in Department H-2, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach. Continue reading→

Suspect busted for operating brothels in Lake Forest and Stanton

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Editor Posted in Crime, Lake Forest, News, Orange County Sheriff, Prostitution Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Suspect Arrested for Pimping and Pandering by Operating Brothels

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (September 3, 2014) – On Tuesday, September 2, 2014, Orange County Sheriff’s investigators served multi-location search warrants following a pimping and pandering investigation involving two locations. Nga “Sandra” Tran, 45, Lake Forest, was arrested following an investigation that identified her as the owner/operator of brothels in the cities of Stanton and Lake Forest.

Tran is suspected of exploiting two female adults, 19 and 20 years of age, who worked for her as prostitutes. Tran is believed to have operated/owned two brothels where the victims would receive money in exchange for sex acts. As operator/owner of the brothel, Tran collected a portion of the proceeds from sex services performed and provided condoms, lubricant and information on ways to avoid detection by law enforcement. Several items of evidence were obtained from each of the locations. Continue reading→

Additional charges filed against music teacher who targeted young girls

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Editor Posted in Crime, Irvine, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, News, OCDA, Orange County Sheriff, Rancho Santa Margarita Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: August 22, 2014

Case# 14HF2171

ADDITIONAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST MUSIC TEACHER WHO COMMITTED LEWD ACTS UPON MULTIPLE FEMALE STUDENTS

*Law enforcement seeks public’s help identifying potential additional victims in this case

NEWPORT BEACH – Additional charges have been filed against a music teacher for committing lewd acts upon multiple female students during music lessons. John Mordecai Scott, 58, Lake Forest, was charged today for crimes against Jane Doe #5 with two felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child under 14 and a sentencing enhancement for committing lewd acts on multiple victims.

Scott was previously charged for four victims with one felony count of continuous sexual abuse, four felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child under 14, two felony counts of distributing pornography to a minor, one felony count of using a minor for sex acts, one felony count of possession and control of child pornography, four felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child, one misdemeanor count of child annoyance, and a sentencing enhancement for obscene matter used during a sexual offense. Continue reading→

Lake Forest Piano teacher arrested for lewd acts with a child

Posted on August 10, 2014 by Editor Posted in Crime, Lake Forest, News, Orange County Sheriff Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

OC Child Exploitation Task Force Arrests Piano Teacher for Lewd Acts with a Child

LAKE FOREST, Calif. – (August 8, 2014) – On Friday, August 8, investigators from the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force (OCCETF) arrested John Mordecai Scott, 58, Lake Forest, following an investigation involving lewd acts with a child. Scott is suspected of showing and taking lewd photographs of a minor female victim at his residence and place of employment.

Scott worked as a piano teacher out of his residence at 20702 El Toro Road #34 in the city of Lake Forest. In addition to teaching at his home, Scott teaches at Coast Band Music on Via Fabricante in the city of Mission Viejo and OC Music located on Aventura in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita. During the course of the investigation, evidence has been obtained that leads investigators to believe there may be additional victims. Continue reading→