Lancaster Christian school employee accused of molest

LANCASTER, Calif. (KABC) -- An employee at Desert Christian School in Lancaster pleaded not guilty Friday morning to charges of lewd acts with minors.

Jonathan Macy, 31, was arrested by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Bureau detectives on Wednesday for allegedly molesting two girls during Sunday church services.

Two victims, 11 and 12, were identified during the course of the investigation. Both had met Macy in the last year while he worked at Grace Chapel Church, which is located on the campus of Desert Christian School.

Detectives say the suspect was also employed as a teacher at St. Mary's School in Palmdale.

Chris Johnson, the senior pastor of Grace Chapel Church issued a statement: "We informed our congregation on Sunday that Jonathan Macy was being investigated by the sheriff's department for inappropriately touching a minor on church facilities. Upon receiving information regarding the investigation, Jonathan Macy was immediately banned from the campus and all church events."

Macy is being held in lieu of $1.2 million bail. If convicted, he could be sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with further information or who may have been victimized by Macy was urged to contact the sheriff's Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-5273.