SAPD Detectives Arrest Church Youth Leader For Sexually Assaulting Two Minor Female Victims
Suspect: Jesse Francisco Hernandez Perez (22) Anaheim
Santa Ana Police Special Crimes Detectives arrested Jesse Francisco Hernandez Perez, a 22-year-old resident of Anaheim, for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. Perez is a youth leader for the Iglesia De Restauracion church located at 1621 East 17th Street in Santa Ana. Perez has been a member of the church for the past three years and was involved in the church’s music program.
Jesse Francisco Hernandez
An 11-year-old female victim reported that on March 5, 2019, Perez communicated with her during church services and lured her into a restroom where he sexually assaulted her. The victim did not immediately disclose this incident and continued to attend church services with her family.
Detectives learned that Perez sexually assaulted a second victim, a 14-year-old girl from Anaheim, while leading a youth program from his home. That victim reported the incident to the Anaheim Police Department sometime in March 2019.
Santa Ana Police Detectives worked closely with Anaheim Police Detectives throughout this investigation. Santa Ana Police Detectives arrested Perez this morning at his home in Anaheim. Perez was booked at the Orange County Jail on multiple child abuse charges and his bail has been set at $100,000.00.
Santa Ana Police Department Detectives believe there may be additional victims and ask anyone with information to contact Detective Corporal Johanna Perez at 714-245-8351, jperez5@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.