Carpinteria Youth Pastor Arrested
updated: Feb 28, 2013, 4:59 PM

Source: Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department

A Carpinteria Youth Pastor who also worked as an Assistant Manager at a hotel is in custody and charged with multiple counts of child molestation, child rape, lewd acts upon a child and furnishing an illegal substance to minors. 28-year-old Louis Joseph Bristol was arrested at 4:30 pm Wednesday afternoon after he surrendered to Sheriff's Detectives at the Carpinteria Station.

The arrest follows an investigation into allegations that Mr. Bristol used his position as a High School Youth Pastor at the Carpinteria Community Church and his job as an Assistant Manager at the Holiday Inn Express in Carpinteria to commit crimes against two female juvenile victims. Detectives have reason to believe there may be more victims out there.

Mr. Bristol met the two teenagers at church and is alleged to have sent them inappropriate text messages and photos. The investigation revealed that Mr. Bristol sexually molested and raped the victims. For one of the victims, the abuse happened on more than one occasion. The crimes took place between late 2012 and early 2013 in vacant rooms at the hotel that Mr. Bristol had access to as an employee. The investigation also revealed Mr. Bristol furnished and sold marijuana to the victims and others in the youth group.

Mr. Bristol is in the Santa Barbara County Jail awaiting arraignment. His bail is set at 2 million dollars. If you have any information related to these crimes or can help identify others who may be victims as well, call Detective Chris Corbett at 805-684-5405 ext. 424 or call the anonymous tip line at (805) 681- 4171.

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