Бывшего пастора Дэйвида Джонсона арестовали по шести обвинениям в сексуальных преступлениях против детей

David Johnson speaks through the holding cell with his attorney Bryan Clifton during Johnson's first court appearance on Aug. 26 in Ventura County Superior Court. Oak View resident and former pastor at Live Oak Christian Fellowship, David Clark Johnson, 58, was arrested and charged with six felony counts of child molestation against multiple victims, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office. This includes four counts of lewd acts upon a child and two counts of continuous sexual abuse, along with special allegations of substantial sexual conduct and the victims being under 14 years old. Johnson was arraigned in Ventura County Superior Court on Aug. 26 and pled not guilty to all charges and denied all special allegations. He is currently in custody at the Ventura County Main Jail and is being held without bail, according to the DA's Office. The DA's office said the charges involve two children under the age of 14 that occurred over several years at locations in Ojai and Oxnard, with Johnson having access to the children through a familial relationship. According to court documents, the alleged incidents took place between 2013 and 2015. Johnson's attorney, Bryan Clifton, declined to provide a comment to the OVN following the Aug. 26 hearing. Since January 2016, Johnson's work with the now-defunct Live Oak Christian Fellowship included missionary work in Baja, Mexico and hosting local Bible studies. Johnson also operated a mobile business called Lifespring Bodywork, a massage therapy and wellness provider. Court appearance During Johnson's Aug. 26 arraignment, his lawyer, Bryan Clifton, requested a pre-trial risk release. Clifton said that Johnson was a "pillar of the community for an extended period of time" and that the "allegations are severe, but a lot of this is old." Deputy District Attorney Cesar Ponce, a member of the DA's Office Sexual Assault Unit, is prosecuting the case. He advocated against the release, stating that one of the victims said Johnson used his trade to victimize people. Judge Ferdinand Inumerable denied the request, and set a Bail Review for Friday, Aug. 28 in Ventura County Superior Court. Judge Inumerable also issued a "no contact" protective order that prohibits Johnson from contacting seven people. Arrest Johnson was arrested in Libbey Park on Aug. 24, according to Ventura County Sheriff's Office Detective Michael Loth. Loth said the investigation into Johnson began in June, when Johnson's wife, Tana, contacted the Sheriff's Office. She later filed for divorce on July 20, according to court records. During a child custody exchange scheduled to take place at the park on Aug. 24, the Sheriff's Office surprised Johnson and arrested him at around 3 p.m. without incident. During the arrest, Tana was being interviewed at the Ojai Police Station, and said she was unaware the arrest was taking place until she was informed by law enforcement afterward. Loth told the OVN that the Sheriff's Office has evidence to support the felony charges filed against Johnson, but couldn't share specifics at this time. He added the investigation remains ongoing and the Sheriff’s Department will be conducting interviews related to Johnson's former employment. Other filings On June 11, Tana filed a domestic violence restraining order against Johnson and brought her accusations to Child Protective Services. She contacted the Ventura County Sheriff's Office shortly after. "As things started to unfold, more and more information came out," she said. Despite the reports to CPS and the Sheriff's Office, Tana said Johnson was awarded shared 50% custody with visitation for four of their children on July 21. "The court system absolutely failed these kids," she said. Incident involving Johnson A close family friend, Devin Ramos, told the OVN she contacted the Sheriff's Office regarding Johnson on Aug. 1. That same day, David Johnson showed up at her work where she was serving tables at a local restaurant. Concerned with behavior she noticed at the table, she said she panicked, and filled a 12oz plastic cup with Coca-Cola, clocked out, went out to the patio where Johnson was seated, and splashed him with the drink. "I should not have done that," she said. "I left in fear and immediately called my therapist." Ramos was later cited for battery related to the incident. She said she acted "in hopes he wouldn’t touch those girls or anyone else inappropriately, ever again," and filed a retraining order against Johnson on Aug. 11 in Ventura County Superior Court. Next steps “My next steps, honestly, are trying to find our new normal," Tana Johnson said of moving forward. "It’s been pretty rough. We’re just trying to navigate the legal process, and the healing process.” According to the DA's Office, investigators suspect there could be additional victims, and are encouraging anyone with information about the case to contact Detective Loth at 805-384-4745. Johnson is scheduled to appear back in Ventura County Superior Court on Aug. 28 for a Bail Review, on Sept. 4 for an Early Disposition Conference and on Sept. 9 for a Preliminary Examination.