Police have confirmed that Fullerton pastor Juan Barrios has been arrested for child sexual abuse. The arrest of Juan Barrios, 51, who had served as pastor at Iglesia de Dios Israelita in Fullerton, has brought to light a disturbing case of alleged long-term sexual abuse of minors that spans several years. Accordingly, local community members are raising concerns about child safety in religious institutions.
The Riverside Police Department’s investigation into this case began in May 2024 when a man came forward with allegations of past sexual abuse. He reported that his pastor, Juan Barrios, had sexually assaulted him for years, starting when he was just nine years old.
Shortly after the first victim’s report, his younger brother also stepped forward with similar claims of sexual abuse against Barrios. The brothers allege that his abuse occurred between 2009 and 2015, a period during which their family was living with the pastor at his Riverside home.