A youth pastor in Orange County, California, was arrested by the police on Friday after several women came out to accuse him of rape.
Sean Patrick Aday, 38, of Lake Forest, was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff's Department's Special Victim's Unit on multiple charges of sexual assault.
He was arrested during a traffic stop following several weeks of investigation including interviews with his victims.
Aday was freed Saturday on a $500,000 bail bond.
Last month, a female victim contacted the sheriff's department to say that Aday sexually assaulted her while he was working as youth pastor at the Grace Community Church in Lake Forest.
The police contacted several victims who also accused Aday of assaulting them. They said the sexual assaults happened inside the church, on church property, in various places in Orange County and during trips overseas in Costa Rica, Moldova and South Africa.
The victims' ages ranged from late teens to early twenties and they were parishioners or volunteers at the church. Based on the allegations, the church fired Aday last month.
Investigators said there are other victims who have yet to report to the police, and authorities are now asking them to come forward.
Aday was arrested on charges of rape, sodomy, penetration with a foreign object and sexual assault.
The church released a statement to say that they were shocked to know that Aday abused his position in the church.
"It is with great horror today that we have heard of the crimes that former employee Sean Aday has been charged with against those entrusted to our care at Grace Community Church," the church said, according to ABC7.
"We are shocked and angered that he abused his role as a leader here to hurt those who trusted him. Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the victims and their families. We are praying fervently for them and will strive to provide avenues for healing and peace in their lives."
