Crime & Safety
Pastor Must Stand Trial On Child Sexual Assault Charges: RivCo Courts
The 79-year-old defendant is being held on $2 million bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A 79-year-old pastor accused of sexually assaulting a young girl must stand trial on multiple felony charges, a judge ruled Tuesday.
David Lee Helbling of Moreno Valley was arrested in February following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation.
At the end of a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning, Superior Court Judge Jerry Yang found there was sufficient evidence to bound Helbling over for trial for alleged oral copulation of a child under 10 years old, abduction of a minor, forcible lewd acts on a child, perpetrating three or more sexual acts on a minor and a sentence-enhancing allegation of bodily injury during a sexual assault.
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The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for Oct. 25 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
The defendant is being held on $2 million bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to sheriff's Sgt. Robert Martinez, deputies were informed at the end of January of an alleged attack on the victim, identified in court documents only as "E.A.," in the 23000 block of Hemlock Avenue, near Pigeon Pass Road.
The ensuing investigation led to the identification of Helbling, a local minister, as the alleged perpetrator.
Martinez said that a search warrant was obtained and served at the defendant's residence, where "evidence related to the crime was collected, and Helbling was taken into custody without incident."
Court papers indicated the defendant committed the alleged offenses all on the same day — Jan. 30.
"It is alleged that in connection with the commission of the offenses, Helbling ... kidnapped the victim, and the movement of the victim substantially increased the risk of harm," according to the criminal complaint. "The defendant resided in the same home, and (he) had recurring access (to her) with the intent of arousing, appealing to and gratifying (his) lust, passions and sexual desires."
No other details were disclosed, including the house of worship where Helbling has presided.
The charges carry a potential maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Helbling has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.
