SANTA ANA, Calif. – A youth pastor was convicted and sentenced to six years in state prison today for sexually assaulting two boys under 16 years old at church events. Brandon Ernis Lee McDade, 31, Mission Viejo, pleaded guilty to one felony count of committing lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14, two felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child between the ages of 14 and 15, and one misdemeanor count of child annoyance. The defendant was also sentenced to mandatory lifetime sex offender registration.

At the time of the crimes, McDade was employed as a youth pastor at Grace Hills Church in Aliso Viejo and had access to children.

Between May 2012 and December 2015, McDade met the victims, both under the age of 16, while they were in his care at the church. McDade sexually assaulted the victims while the victims were on church property. The defendant also molested one of the victims at a movie theater in Orange County.

A parent of one of the victims contacted the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) and reported the crime. OCSD investigated this case, and the defendant was arrested on Dec. 9, 2015.

Deputy District Attorney Michael Carroll of the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted this case.

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 15HF1595 / January 09, 2017