Apr 23, 2024
An Orange County man and former Boys & Girls Club counselor was arrested on allegations of sexually molesting young girls.
The Garden Grove Police Department identified the sexual abuse suspect as Elijah Domminic Barrera, 29. Barrera was arrested in Orange, California, on April 19 and booked at the Orange County Jail on suspicion of two counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child.
The alleged sexual abuse incidents occurred in 2014 when Barrera was employed as a counselor at the Garden Grove Boys & Girls Club, located at 9860 Larson Avenue. The alleged victims – two young girls – were between 6 and 9 years of age when the incidents took place. Barrera was around 20 years of age at the time that the alleged sexual molestation occurred at the Garden Grove Boys & Girls Club.
In March of last year, police were alerted by a victim who claimed Barrera inappropriately touched her several years earlier. During their investigation, detectives were able to identify a second victim who also identified Barrera as a sexual abuse suspect.
Police have indicated that, due to the nature of the allegations, they believe there may be more victims. Anyone who has details or information related to a possible child sex crime committed by former Boys & Girls Club counselor Elijah Barrera is urged to immediately contact Detective Adam Nikolic of the Garden Grove Police Department at (714) 741-5877 or adamn@ggcity.org.
Similar to well-known institutions such as the Catholic Church and Boy Scouts of America, the Boys & Girls Clubs have faced a staggering number of child sex abuse claims in recent years.
At least a dozen cases against the Boys & Girls Clubs of America are currently pending, and the number of recent claims is unknown. In fact, Heart Connecticut reported in 2019 that more than 200 civil and criminal cases of alleged sexual abuse had been reported against various Boys & Girls Club:
The alleged child sex crimes occurred at Boys & Girls Club affiliates across the country over 70 years. Many high-profile Boys & Girls Clubs child sex abuse civil lawsuits have led to criminal charges being filed against perpetrators.
In 2018, Paul Dwayne, a former athletic director of Sonoma Valley’s Boys & Girls Club, was sentenced to 150 years to life in prison for child sexual abuse. Civil claims filed against Kilgore allege that the former Boys & Girls Club athletic director groomed and sexually abused his victims who attended after-school and summer programs.
Dordulian Law Group’s Boys & Girls Clubs child sex abuse lawyers are available 24/7 for free and confidential consultations by calling 866-GO-SEE-SAM. Our founder and president, Sam Dordulian, is a forme sex crimes prosecutor who, as a Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, was able to successfully secure life sentences against countless sexual predators.
Today, Dordulian and his dedicated SAJE Team (Sexual Abuse Justice Experts) fight in civil court on behalf of victims. The SAJE Team offers a unique and four-tiered 24/7 support network with added resources extending beyond expert legal representation:
Our Sexual Assault Justice Experts are here to help survivors secure justice. Contact our top-rated attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.
When you’re ready to take the first step towards securing justice for a Garden Grove Boys & Girls Club sexual abuse claim, our dedicated team is here for you and your family. We will tirelessly pursue justice and maximum financial compensation on your behalf.
Contact D Law Group’s Boys & Girls Clubs child molestation lawyers today by calling 866-GO-SEE-SAM.
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Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years' experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.
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