Young brothers were sexually abused by pastor they lived with, California cops say

A church pastor was arrested after two brothers said he sexually abused them while they were living with him, California authorities said.

Now, police believe there are more victims, according to a Sept. 12 Facebook post by the Riverside Police Department.

In May, a man came forward, saying Juan Barrios sexually abused him beginning at age 9 until he was in his mid-teens, police said.

The man’s younger brother also came forward and said Barrios, a pastor with Iglesia de Dios Israelita in Fullerton, sexually abused him, officers said.

McClatchy News reached out to the Iglesia de Dios Israelita for a statement on Sept. 13 and was awaiting a response.

Police said the crimes happened between 2009 and 2015.

Barrio was arrested Sept. 8 on sex abuse charges, police said. He has since been released after posting $500,00 bail, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 951-353-7949, officers said. Investigators say “there could be others that Mr. Barrios victimized” who have yet to come forward.

Riverside is about a 50-mile drive east of downtown Los Angeles.

This story was originally published September 13, 2024 at 3:31 PM with the headline "Young brothers were sexually abused by pastor they lived with, California cops say."