David Johnson, 58, pleaded not guilty to six felony child sex abuse charges after his Wednesday arraignment in Ventura County Superior Court.
The Ojai pastor, who also worked as a massage therapist, faces four counts of lewd acts upon a child and two counts of continuous sexual abuse, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced. Prosecutors filed special allegations that the conduct involved substantial sexual abuse and that both alleged victims were under 14 years old. The children reportedly knew Johnson through a familial relationship, which authorities said gave him access to them over several years.
The alleged abuse took place at locations in both Ojai and Oxnard, investigators determined. Authorities believe the misconduct spanned multiple years, though specific dates have not been publicly released. Johnson was taken into custody and remains jailed without bail pending a bail review hearing.
“If you believe you have information about this case or possible other unreported crimes Johnson may have committed,” the Ventura County DA’s Office said in a public statement, investigators want to hear from you.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Detective Michael Loth has been assigned to receive tips and can be reached at (805) 384-4745. Authorities issued the public appeal amid concerns that additional victims may not have come forward.
Johnson’s dual roles as a religious leader and licensed massage therapist provided him with community trust and access to families, according to the circumstances outlined by prosecutors. The charges carry significant enhancements due to the ages of the alleged victims and the sustained nature of the reported abuse.
A bail review hearing is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 28.