.png)
A man who volunteered in children's ministry for years at Vineyard Church in California is looking a lengthy prison sentence after a recent conviction of child abuse.
Forty-one-year-old Todd Christian Hartman from Newport Beach was charged with two felony counts of a lewd act upon a 14- or 15-year-old and four felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor younger than 14. He was also convicted of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 10.
According to a statement made by Orange County District Attorney Tood Spitzer's office, he was also in possession of hundreds of pornographic photos involving children.
Vineyard elders say they became concerned about Hartman repeatedly pulling children onto his lap and changed his responsibilities.
"Houses of worship should be safe havens from the evils of the world, but instead child predators transform them from a place of safety into a hunting ground for unsuspecting victims for their twisted sexual gratification," says DA Spitzer. "No child should have the innocence of childhood robbed from them by anyone, much less someone they were led to believe they could trust."
California laws allow Hartman to be eligible for parole after serving just 20 years of his 124-year sentence. Spitzer shares his thoughts on the matter, offering sympathy for the victims involved in the case.
"We will never leave the sides of our victims and when he does come up for parole we will do everything in our power as prosecutors to keep him behind bars where he undoubtedly belongs," Spitzer says.
The church previously known as Vineyard was renamed Dwelling Place Anaheim in March 2022 when they disassociated from the charismatic denomination. Alan Scott is the lead pastor of the church.
The abuse from Hartman started back in 2009 and he was initially convicted in 2015.