On Thursday May 9, John Rodgers McFarland, the head pastor at Orangethorpe United Methodist Church in Fullerton since 2014, was arrested on a warrant charging him with seven counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor younger than 14 and four counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor 14 to 15 years old.
According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, John Rodgers McFarland is accused of molesting the children between 2003 and 2017. John Rodgers McFarland faces up to 179 years to life in prison if convicted.
McFarland was arrested and charged in December with molesting a girl younger than 14 in Escondido between 2012 and 2013. Lt. Chris Lick of the Escondido Police Department said that the alleged molestation occurred when McFarland was visiting relatives in the area.
In the past, McFarland has been affiliated with a number of churches in the Southern California area. These include San Marcos United Methodist Church, San Dieguito United Methodist Church, and the Calexico United Methodist Church. McFarland has served as a volunteer chaplain for Fountain Valley police and firefighters. He was pastor at Surf City Church in Huntington Beach between 2009 and 2014, and head pastor at Fountain Valley United Methodist Church for 26 years from 1988 to 2014.
If you or a loved one is a survivor of John Rodgers McFarland, the head pastor at Orangethorpe United Methodist Church in Fullerton, please contact the compassionate legal team at Estey & Bomberger for a free, 100% confidential consultation.
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Even though John Rodgers McFarland is currently being held in custody, the full scope of his abuse is unclear. Considering his history and the number of churches he has served at, there may be additional victims.
If you believe that you or a loved one is a survivor of abuse by John Rodgers McFarland, the head pastor at Orangethorpe United Methodist Church in Fullerton, contact us immediately to explore your legal options and get help today.