Watch CBS News

Youth Pastor Pleads Not Guilty In San Clemente Molestation Case

SANTA ANA (CBS) —  A former San Clemente youth pastor charged with molesting a female parishioner pleaded not guilty Friday.

Joe David Nelms, 47, was charged with eight felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor, according to court records. At his arraignment in a Santa Ana courtroom today, Nelms was ordered held on $200,000 bail.

Nelms was a youth pastor at Pacific Coast Church in San Clemente in 1993 when he met the girl, then 14.

She reported the alleged molestation last month, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

Nelms was arrested March 18 in Lindale, Texas.

Nelms allegedly molested the girl from 1993-96, Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino said.

The alleged victim told authorities last month that Nelms molested her in the church office, while driving around San Clemente and in his home in San Clemente, Amormino said.

Nelms worked as a youth pastor at the church from 1990 to 2000.

In Texas, he was a volunteer Bible study teacher at First Baptist Church in Lindale, and a counselor for high school students at Sky Ranch, a Christian camp and ministry, according to prosecutors.

There was no immediate response to messages left with defense attorney Creighton Laz seeking comment.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.