An 80-year-old pastor who sexually assaulted a young girl pleaded guilty Thursday to kidnapping to commit rape and lewd acts on a child under 14 years old.
David Lee Helbling of Moreno Valley admitted the felony counts Thursday under a pretrial agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for his admissions, prosecutors dropped four related charges against Helbling.
Superior Court Judge Joshlyn Pulliam scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 5 at the Riverside Hall of Justice. The proposed term of imprisonment was not specified.
Helbling is free on his own recognizance.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Robert Martinez, deputies were informed at the end of January 2024 of an alleged attack on the victim in the 23000 block of Hemlock Avenue, near Pigeon Pass Road.
The ensuing investigation led to the identification of Helbling, a local minister, as the alleged perpetrator.
Martinez said a search warrant was obtained and served at the defendant’s residence, where “evidence related to the crime was collected, and Helbling was taken into custody without incident.”
Court papers indicated the defendant committed the alleged offenses all on the same day — Jan. 30, 2024.
“It is alleged that in connection with the commission of the offenses, Helbling … kidnapped the victim, and the movement of the victim substantially increased the risk of harm,” according to the criminal complaint. “The defendant resided in the same home, and (he) had recurring access (to her) with the intent of arousing, appealing to and gratifying (his) lust, passions and sexual desires.”
No other details were disclosed, including the exact relationship between the minister and victim, or the house of worship where Helbling had presided.
He had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.