A previous young minister at an Aliso Viejo congregation has entered a plea of not guilty in response to accusations of sexually abusing 5 boys younger than 16 during events associated with the church. Brandon Ernis Lee McDade, 30, from Mission Viejo, is confronting a possible sentence of 30 years to life in jail if found guilty.
Free Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been the victim of abuse, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.
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Update: Orange County Pastor Gets 6 Years for Child Sexual Assaults
January 11, 2017 – Brandon Ernis Lee McDade pleaded guilty Monday and was immediately sentenced to 6 years in prison for sexually assaulting two underage boys at church events in Aliso Viejo, according to the Orange County Register [1]. The former youth pastor was convicted on one count of committing lewd acts on a child younger than 14, two counts of committing lewd acts on a child between 14 and 15, all felonies, and a misdemeanor count of child annoyance. McDade was also ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
What’s the problem?
McDade is accused of molesting the boys on church property, at a local movie theatre and a youth camp in San Bernardino County, according to CBS Los Angeles [2]. He also faces 2 misdemeanor charges of child annoyance and a possible sentencing enhancement for harassing multiple victims.
Authorities say the incidents occurred between June 2009 and December 20, 2015, while McDade was working at Grace Hills Church in Aliso Viejo. He had been employed there for about 6 years, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
“McDade is accused of sexually assaulting the victims while the victims were on church property,” the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. “The defendant is accused of molesting one of the victims at a movie theater in Orange County and molesting another victim while the victim was attending a youth church camp in San Bernardino County.”
McDade was arrested December 9 after a parent of one of the alleged victims went to the authorities. He was later released on $20,000 bond, but is currently being held on $1 million bail until a pretrial hearing next month. McDade has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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McDade in Court on Child Molestation Charges
April 11, 2016 – Brandon Ernis Lee McDade was in court on Friday to determine whether there is enough evidence to try him on sexual abuse charges, according to Patch.com [3]. McDade has been charged with 4 felony counts of lewd acts on a child 14 to 15, 2 counts of lewd acts on a minor, and 2 misdemeanor counts of child annoyance. He also faces sentence enhancements for multiple victims. McDade is scheduled to be arraigned again next Monday.
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FAQs
Can I join a class action lawsuit if I have been harmed by the OC Youth Pastor?
If multiple victims have come forward, it may be possible to join a class action or mass tort lawsuit. This allows victims to combine their cases for a stronger collective claim. However, some cases may be better handled individually depending on the specific circumstances.
What steps should I take if I believe I was sexually assaulted by the OC Youth Pastor?
Seek medical and psychological treatment, document the details of the assault, report the incident to the authorities and the church or organization, and consult with an attorney who specializes in sexual assault cases to discuss your legal options.
Can I file an individual lawsuit instead of joining a class action in the OC Youth Pastor sexual assault case?
Yes, you can file an individual lawsuit if your case involves unique or severe circumstances that warrant individual attention. This approach may be more suitable for cases involving sexual assault.
Do I Have a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
The Sexual Abuse Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in child abuse lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Free Confidential Case Evaluation: Again, if you’ve been abused, molested or annoyed, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a class action suit and our lawyers can help.