Youth Pastor From Granada Hills Charged in Molestation

Investigators Thursday sought possible victims of a youth pastor from Granada Hills who has been charged with multiple molestation and other counts for allegedly having sexual relations for more than a year with a young girl who attended his Venice church.

Demetrius Darnell Allen, 28, was arrested on Aug. 3 and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment two days later. Allen, who was being held in lieu of $1 million bail, is due back in court Aug. 16 for a bail hearing and again on Sept. 15, when a date is expected to be set for a preliminary hearing.

Allen is accused of initiating a sexual relationship with a then-14-year-old member of First Baptist Church in March 2010. The relationship continued until May of this year, according to the district attorney's office.

The suspect is charged with 10 counts of committing a lewd act on a child and single felony counts of possession of child pornography and contacting a minor to commit a sexual offense.

Los Angeles Police Department Detective Michael Brox said Allen and the girl met at the church, but the alleged molestation occurred at his residence in Granada Hills.

"If you look at cases like this, time and time again, there is a trust level,'' Brox said at a news conference at the LAPD's Devonshire Station. "A person in a position of a counselor, teachers, clergy—especially when you're involved in youth—the youth have a tendency to look up to adults ... as a youth pastor, a youth leader ... he took advantage of that.''

Investigators said there may be additional victims, and urged anyone with information relevant to the case to call police.

—City News Service