Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Robert Martinez
File # MV240300212
Details:
On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 2:25 p.m., deputies assigned to the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to a report of a past sexual assault of a child that occurred in the 23000 block of Hemlock Avenue, Moreno Valley. Investigators assigned to the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station assumed the investigation. During the investigation, they learned the juvenile victim had been assaulted by a local pastor identified as David Helbling, a 79-year-old resident of Moreno Valley.
On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station personnel served a search warrant at a property in the 23000 block of Hemlock Avenue, Moreno Valley. During the service of the search warrant, evidence related to the crime was collected, and Helbling was taken into custody without incident. Helbling was later transported to the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station for processing and subsequently booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center on multiple felony charges related to the crimes against the juvenile victim.
Helbling remains in custody, and his bail is set at $2,000,000.00. This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional details are available at this time.
The Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station investigators believe there may be additional victims and encourage anyone with additional information to contact Investigator McCracken at 951-486-6710.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
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