Crime & Safety
Newport Beach Church Staffer Sexually Assaulted Child He Was Related To For A Decade, Police Say
The 42-year-old Orange County man was a "prominent staff member" of Redeemer Church of Orange County in Newport Beach, police said.
IRVINE, CA — A Newport Beach church staffer is facing charges of sexually assaulting a girl he is related to for a decade in Irvine, police said Wednesday.
Michael Robert Maxwell, 42, was charged Tuesday with 18 felony counts of sexual assault involving the girl starting in 2011 and continuing through 2018, court records show.
Maxwell did not enter a plea at his arraignment in the jail courtroom in Santa Ana Tuesday and is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 12 in the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.
Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to the Irvine Police Department, Maxwell was a "prominent staff member" of Redeemer Church of Orange County in Newport Beach.
The victim, who is now a teen, came forward to authorities this month, Kyle Odoerp of the Irvine Police Department told City News Service.
Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Police asked for the public's help with more information about the defendant. Anyone with relevant information was asked to contact Detective Vincent Vasquez at vvasquez@cityofirvine.org.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
