Los Angeles, CA – The recent conviction of Santa Ana pastor Carlos Ramirez Valdez on multiple felony charges of sexual assault against three young girls has brought renewed attention to the critical issue of child sexual abuse within religious institutions. As personal injury attorneys serving Orange County and Riverside communities, Easton & Easton is committed to raising awareness about the rights of survivors and the importance of holding both perpetrators and negligent institutions accountable for failures in child protection.
Details of the Conviction
On September 11, 2025, Carlos Ramirez Valdez, 61, was convicted in Santa Ana Superior Court on seven counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor younger than 14 and three counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child 10 or younger. The jury also found true a sentencing enhancement for multiple victims, which will likely result in a significantly longer prison sentence when he is sentenced on October 24.
The conviction stems from systematic abuse that occurred between 2014 and 2017, affecting three young victims who were between 6 and 9 years old when the abuse began. Valdez, who served as pastor of International Mission Church USA and was a member of Iglesia De Dios Ebenezer Church, exploited his position of trust and authority to gain access to vulnerable children within these religious communities.
Pattern of Abuse Across Multiple Churches
The evidence presented at trial revealed a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that spanned multiple churches across Orange County and Riverside. Valdez used his religious authority to manipulate young victims and their families, creating opportunities for abuse under the guise of pastoral care and church activities.
One victim testified that the abuse began when she was just 8 years old, with Valdez luring her into a van during church services at Iglesia De Dios Ebenezer Church in Santa Ana. The abuse continued over three years, from second through fifth grade, with the defendant using pretexts such as needing to comb her hair or requiring help to isolate the child. The abuse extended beyond the church premises, with incidents occurring at his home in Riverside where he showed the victim adult films.
A second victim reported that Valdez began molesting her at age 9 when he served as a deacon, while a third victim said the abuse started when she was approximately 6 years old at a Santa Ana church and continued when they resided together in Riverside.
Institutional Failures and Warning Signs
This case raises serious questions about the oversight and safeguarding measures in place at the religious institutions where Valdez held positions of authority. The fact that he was able to systematically abuse multiple children over several years suggests potential failures in supervision, background screening, and response to warning signs.
Religious institutions have a fundamental duty to protect the children in their care. This includes implementing comprehensive child protection policies, conducting thorough background checks on all staff and volunteers, maintaining appropriate supervision during youth activities, and creating safe reporting mechanisms for concerns about inappropriate behavior.
The extended duration of the abuse and the fact that it occurred across multiple locations indicates that there may have been missed opportunities to identify and stop the predatory behavior. Families trust religious leaders with their children’s spiritual and emotional well-being, making the betrayal of that trust particularly devastating.
Legal Rights for Survivors of Religious Institution Abuse
Survivors of sexual abuse in religious settings face unique challenges, including feelings of shame, confusion about their faith, and fear of not being believed by their religious community. However, California law provides important protections and remedies for survivors of institutional sexual abuse.
Under California’s recent legal reforms, survivors of childhood sexual abuse now have expanded opportunities to seek justice through civil litigation, even in cases where the abuse occurred years ago. The California Child Victims Act has opened new pathways for survivors to hold both perpetrators and negligent institutions accountable for their role in enabling or covering up abuse.
Civil lawsuits against religious institutions can address failures in:
- Background screening and hiring practices
- Supervision and oversight of staff and volunteers
- Response to reports or warning signs of inappropriate behavior
- Implementation of child protection policies
- Training staff to recognize and prevent abuse
These legal actions can provide compensation for therapy, medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering survivors have endured. More importantly, they can force institutional changes that help protect future generations of children.
Easton & Easton’s Commitment to Supporting Survivors
At Easton & Easton, we have extensive experience representing survivors of sexual abuse in cases involving religious institutions and other youth-serving organizations throughout Orange County and California. We understand the unique challenges survivors face, including the complex emotions surrounding faith communities and the fear of not being believed.
Our approach focuses on providing compassionate legal representation while also connecting clients with appropriate therapeutic resources and victim advocacy services to support their healing journey. We recognize that seeking justice through the legal system is often just one part of the survivor’s path to recovery.
The conviction in this case represents an important step toward justice for the three brave survivors who came forward. However, it also underscores the critical need for continued vigilance and accountability regarding the safety of children within our Orange County and Riverside communities. At Easton & Easton, attorney Saul Wolf remains dedicated to leveraging his extensive experience in cases of sexual abuse to pursue justice for those who have been harmed.
His work reflects a steadfast commitment to thoroughly investigating institutional failures such as Church Entities (including the Roman Catholic Church), Private Schools and Public School Districts (including LAUSD), Youth Servicing Organizations (including Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs) Youth Sports Organizations and National Governing Bodies (including USA Water Polo, and USA Cheer) and advocating for survivors.
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