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California pastor pleaded not guilty to child molestation charges

Prosecutors in Ventura County are seeking potential additional victims of the Ojai pastor and massage therapist.

The short version

  • David Johnson, a 58-year-old pastor and massage therapist from Ojai, California, pleaded not guilty to six felony child molestation charges.
  • The charges involve two victims under the age of 14, whom Johnson allegedly accessed through a familial relationship.
  • Authorities are holding Johnson without bail and are publicly seeking information regarding other potential victims.

Key facts

  • David Johnson of Ojai, California, was arrested by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office on August 24, 2026, on child molestation charges.[Fox News]
  • Johnson faces four felony counts of committing a lewd act upon a child and two felony counts of continuous sexual abuse.[Fox News]
  • Prosecutors state that the alleged abuse occurred over several years at locations in Ojai and Oxnard, involving two victims who were under 14 years old at the time.[Fox News]
  • Johnson, who worked as a pastor and a massage therapist, allegedly accessed the children through a familial relationship.[Fox News]
  • Johnson pleaded not guilty to all charges in Ventura County Superior Court and is being held without bail ahead of a scheduled bail review hearing.[Fox News]

What remains uncertain

  • Investigators have not publicly stated how many additional victims they believe may exist.[Fox News]

Sources