Santa Ana Church Leader Sentenced 45 Years Life for Assaulting Three Girls

Carlos Ramirez Valdez, a 61-year-old church leader and pastor in Santa Ana, California, was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison after being convicted of multiple felony counts of sexually assaulting three young girls he met through churches between 2012 and 2019. Valdez, who served at Iglesia De Dios Ebenezer Church and later at International Mission Church USA, lured victims as young as 4 years old into his van, church basement, or other secluded locations to commit repeated assaults over several years. The victims reported the abuse to authorities and school counselors around 2020, which led to his arrest in 2021 and subsequent conviction in 2025. Prosecutors highlighted the betrayal of trust inherent in Valdez's role as a church leader, with Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer emphasizing that churches should be safe sanctuaries, not places where children are preyed upon. Valdez was also ordered to register as a sex offender and received credit for time already served. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Elise Levy from the Sexual Assault Unit, underscoring the commitment to prosecuting child sexual exploitation to the fullest extent of the law.