Pastor Charged With Child Sexual Assault In RivCo, More Victims Sought

MORENO VALLEY, CA — A 78-year-old Riverside County pastor remained jailed Tuesday in lieu of $2 million bail after being charged with felony sex offenses against a child.

David Lee Helbling of Moreno Valley was being held at Banning's Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on suspicion of one count each of oral copulation/sexual penetration with a child under 10; lewd acts with force on a child under 14; committing three or more lewd acts with a child under 14; and kidnapping a child under 14. He is also charged with a sentencing enhancement of kidnapping in the course of a crime, court records show.

Helbling is scheduled for arraignment March 1.

Helbling was arrested Feb. 14 following a two-week investigation into alleged sexual assault of a child in the 23000 block of Hemlock Avenue in Moreno Valley. Deputies with the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station served a search warrant at the property and "evidence related to the crime was collected," according to the sheriff's department.

A YouTube video clip from 2020 shows Helbling delivering a sermon at The Blessing Center, located at 23525 Hemlock Avenue in Moreno Valley. Another clip from 2021 shows him singing with what appear to be The Blessing Center church members. The church could not be reached by phone Tuesday night.

Helbling has no criminal history in Riverside County, according to court records.

The investigation into the alleged sexual assault is ongoing. Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with additional information to contact Investigator McCracken at 951-486-6710.