The Orange County District Attorney's office said that 47-year-old Joe David Nelms was charged with eight felony counts of committing lewd acts on a child.
Nelms was arrested last week in Texas where he was teaching bible study at a Baptist church. He worked as a youth pastor at the Pacific Coast Church in San Clemente for ten years in the 1990's.
Prosecutors said he molested the girl for three years at the church, in his home and in a car. The girl did not report the alleged molestation to police until earlier this month.
He's being held without bail pending extradition proceedings. He could face 22 years in state prison if convicted.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
