Authorities in Santa Ana were searching Thursday for additional victims of a 52-year-old former pastor accused of molesting two girls during daily prayers at their homes.
Ahmad Henry Osman was charged with two felony counts of performing lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14 with a sentencing enhancement allegation for multiple victims, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Osman worked as a pastor at the Indo Chinese Islamic Center in Santa Ana at the time of the assaults, the Santa Ana Police Department stated in a joint news release with the DA’s office.
Osman taught bible classes at IIC and befriended the victims and their family members, the release stated. It was not clear why Osman was referred to by authorities as a “pastor” and said to have taught bible classes at a religious organization for Muslims.
According to the release, on or about Feb. 25, Osman entered a home where both victims were staying, under the guise of performing a daily prayer.
He lured one 9-year-old girl into the room in which he was praying and performed lewd acts on her, police said. Later the same day, Osman allegedly performed lewd acts upon another girl, who was 6 years old, the release stated.
The older girl reported the crime to a family member who contacted police.
Osman was arrested the next day.
If convicted as charged, Osman faced a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison as well as mandatory lifetime sex offender registration.
He was being held on $1 million bail and was due back in court on Friday.
Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim was encouraged to contact Investigator Rick Diaz at 714-245-8412 or Supervising District Attorney Investigator Kelly Core at 714-347-8794.
