Church Choir Director Arrested For Sex Crimes In Montclair

June 6, 2011 5:56 AM

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MONTCLAIR (CBS) — A choir director of a Southland church was arrested Sunday after being caught with an under aged girl.

According to Montclair police, Mark Michaels of Upland was arrested and booked at the West Valley Detention Center on charges of oral copulation and lewd and lavivious acts with a child.

Church Choir Director Arrested For Sex Crimes In Montclair

(credit: California Department Of Motor Vehicles)

Early Sunday morning, Michaels, 53, was found with the teenaged girl inside a vehicle, according to Montclair police. An officer reportedly observed innapropriate sexual activity. When the vehicle tried to drive away, police conducted a traffic stop and found Michaels and the girl in the car, officials said.

After an investigation, authorities determined that Michaels and the girl, 15, knew each other from their church. Investigators say the girl was a member of the church’s choir and she had known Michaels for two years. The teen was later remanded to her parents.

At the time of Michaels arrest, he was the part-time choir director at Bethany Baptist Church in Montclair. He was fired Sunday night by church elders.

Michaels is being held on a $50,000 bail. He will make his first court appearance Tuesday.

Investigators are trying to determine if there are additional victims.

Onclewillie

It is an outrage when someone uses their position of authority or trust to harm children. It isn’t about the Christian church or its teachings. It is about a criminal preying on kids using his religion as a disguise. He needs to go to jail and stay a very long time.

Evil is Evil

I second your opinions, Onclewillie. I will also add that a lot of people will come on here saying that this is an abuse of the Christian faith, but evil exists in all forms and will use every tool possible to cause harm to anyone and everyone, whether you believe that evil comes in the form of Satan or not. What this man did is awful and needs to face punishment handed down by the law. Something has to be missing within that young girl, though, to be seeking any kind of affection from a much older man. I hope her parents get her some therapy to work that issue out.

Jack

More bad behavior from Tea Party members trying to copy the lifestyle of their hero Sarah Palin.

Duh!

Actually, this is more in line with Slick Wilie and Monica than with Sarah. Or do you not know what it is to get a Lewinski?

duh

Yes, a Lewinsky is something multiple millions of men receive on ANY GIVEN DAY, by a CONSENTING ADULT PARTNER. If you’re under the pressure of running the largest economy and the greatest military on the PLANET, what’s wrong with a quick hummer from a doe-eyed intern who is more than of legal age to make that choice? That’s between your wife, the intern and you, and NOBODY ELSE.

Loosen that stick in your rear a few notches. Relax. It’s sex. Google it. All the animals do it. A 53 yr old man with a 15 yr old minor is the problem here, not what an ex-president did 16 yrs ago…

You might want to try and find a consenting adult to give you a Lewinsky. It’s not half as bad as you think.

duh

Who the h ell smiles for a mug shot when they’ve just been arrested for a sex crime against a minor? Good grief…

Erik G.

It is his Driver’s License picture. The DMV released this.

duh

Thanks for the clarification! My bad!

DontJuj

A mans actions are never excusable but to assume that the guy became a choir director simply to “prey” on children is ridiculous. It’s easy to throw stones online isn’t it?

Daniel

I agree. We need to wait for the rest of the facts. I know of somebody that was accused of a crime that he did not do. Its hard to be accused of sexual molestation of minor. Its a sensitive issue and we feel passionate about it. I’m not saying that it cannot happen. Let’s just leave room for a benefit of doubt until all facts are heard. Its a good move for the church to let go of him to protect the image and possible victims.

duh

Man, reading comprehension at its lowest…

The minor DIDN’T ACCUSE HIM. A POLICE OFFICER WITNESSED THE SEX ACT AND PULLED OVER THE CAR. The peace officer is the witness here. There’s no minor trying to throw this guy under the bus.

Got it? mkay…

Laurel C

Someone needs to learn how to spell. It’s lewd conduct, not lude conduct. Please take an English class and use a dictionary.
http://www.Jesus.com J.T.

He subbed as my P.E. Teacher at my Christian School!!!!! (Ontario Christian) I’m 15 is he gonna rape me too???!!!!!

DontJuj

Don’t say things like that unless ur a victim!!! They’re investigating this man, raking him over the coals isn’t something someone who goes to a CHRISTIAN school should be doing.
DontJuj

He who is without sin cast the first stone!!

deedee

What’s a lavivious act? Copy editor, please?
http://priestyleaks.com/2011/california-baptist-lewd-acts-with-a-minor-662011/ California – Baptist – Lewd Acts with a Minor – 6/6/2011 |

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