A self-proclaimed pastor was charged Thursday with molesting two young boys he met through his garage-based church, authorities said.
Oscar Mendez, 37, pastor of the Church of the Golden Candlestick, was charged with 18 felony counts and two misdemeanor counts, according to a statement from the Orange County district attorney's office. The charges include exhibiting pornography to a minor and possession of child pornography.
Mendez was being held on $1 million bail and his arraignment was scheduled for April 1. If convicted of all counts, he could face a maximum sentence of 66 years to life in state prison.
Mendez was arrested Sunday after officers responded to a phone call from a relative of one of the two boys. The boys, ages 9 and 10, accused Mendez of possessing child pornography and of molesting them.
Mendez had been molesting the boys since October, the district attorney's office alleged. Police have said there may be additional victims.
Police said Mendez runs his church out of a garage in Garden Grove, but the alleged abuse took place in his Santa Ana home.