Former social worker, church leader arrested for child sex abuse

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (KABC) -- A former social worker and San Bernardino church leader was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a child younger than 10 for several years.

Dexter Pleasure, 51, was arrested Monday at his Rancho Cucamonga home and booked for oral copulation of a child under 10 and continual sexual abuse of a child under 10. He was held on $350,000 bail.

He allegedly told someone he had sexually abused a child, who then contacted the child protective services hotline, said Teresa McMahon, a spokeswoman for the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department.

Pleasure was a social worker for more than 20 years at a private foster care agency, where he had access to many children. He took them to doctor's appointments and visitations. He was also a worship leader at a San Bernardino church.

Neighbor Helen Jones said she was always suspicious of Pleasure and his interest in children who lived at their apartment complex.

"There was something weird about him, but I didn't think it was that," Jones said.

He was scheduled to appear in court on April 30.

Rancho Cucamonga police believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Ryan Ford at (909) 477-2800.