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Church Group Leader Arrested On Child Sex Crime Charges

VICTORVILLE (CBSLA.com) — A volunteer church group leader was being held on $500,000 bail Friday after he was arrested on child sex crime charges.

Joseph Kealoha, 26, was taken into custody Tuesday on charges of sodomy and oral copulation with a minor, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said.

Deputies began investigating Kealoha Monday after a 17-year-old boy's father reported that his son had had a year-long sexual relationship with the suspect who was a volunteer group leader at their church.

"Detectives learned that the victim met Kealoha while attending High Desert Church, specifically during a youth beach trip in August of 2013," Det. David Clifford said. "Shortly after meeting, Kealoha began a dating relationship with the minor which ultimately led to sex acts."

The victim told detectives the sex acts occurred monthly until the relationship ended in September of this year.

Kealoha is also an instructional aid at Morgan Kincaid Preperatory School, as well as a program leader at Bradach Elementary School's, "Think Together" program. He has since be fired from his positions in the Adelanto School District and the church, officials said.

Kealoha was scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 29.

Anyone with information, specifically juveniles that may have had isolated contact with Joseph Kealoha, should contact Det. Clifford at (909)387-3615.

 

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