Rancho Cucamonga Man, a Worship Leader, Suspected of Sexually Abusing Child

By Beatriz Valenzuela
Daily Bulletin
April 29, 2015

http://www.dailybulletin.com/general-news/20150429/rancho-cucamonga-man-a-worship-leader-suspected-of-sexually-abusing-child

Dexter Carl Pleasure, 51, of Rancho Cucamonga

A former social worker who reportedly is also a worship leader at a San Bernardino church has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a child, and investigators fear he may have victimized other children, sheriff’s officials said.

Dexter Carl Pleasure, 51, of Rancho Cucamonga was arrested early Tuesday morning at the sheriff’s Rancho Cucamonga station, according to booking records.

Rancho Cucamonga authorities were first tipped off about the alleged abuse on Monday when they received a report from the Child Abuse Hotline, sheriff’s officials said.

The report came from what is termed a mandated reporter who described possible sexual abuse of a child under the age of 10.

The investigation led them to Pleasure, a Rancho Cucamonga resident, authorities said.

Detectives believe Pleasure had been sexually abusing the child for the last several years, according to a statement.

Authorities said Pleasure had worked as a social worker for more than 20 years with a private foster care agency. Investigators are concerned because Pleasure had access and control over numerous children during his career, taking them to doctors’ appointments and visitations.

The Sheriff’s Department did not identify the church Pleasure was affiliated with. There was no response to an email seeking that information.

Pleasure was booked into West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of oral copulation of a child under 10, continual sexual abuse of a child. He was being held on $350,000 bail and is scheduled to be in West Valley Superior Court today.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Ryan Ford of the sheriff’s Rancho Cucamonga station at 909-477-2800. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the WeTip Hotline at 800-78CRIME (27463) or leave information on the WeTip website at www.wetip.com.