El Monte church volunteer arrested for allegedly touching teen boys inappropriately

EL MONTE, Calif. (KABC) -- A man who volunteered at an El Monte church and worked as a camp supervisor for a local school district has been arrested for allegedly inappropriately touching teenage boys.

Matthew Alejos, 27, was arrested Nov. 6, 2018.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Special Victims Bureau investigators said Alejos was a volunteer with the young adult ministry at Calvary Chapel El Monte from 2013 until his arrest. He also worked as a camp supervisor in the El Monte Union High School District from May 2011 until his arrest.

He was assigned to the Rosemead Adult School campus at the time of his arrest, however, he was also assigned to El Monte High School and Rosemead High School in the past, sheriff's officials said.

During his time as a volunteer at Calvary Chapel Church, where he was also a security officer, Alejos befriended young boys, gained their trust, and at times, allegedly had inappropriate contact with them, investigators said.

Alejos had access to numerous children over the last five years at the church and during his time of employment with the school district. The district attorney's office and sheriff's investigators are seeking the public's help in identifying any additional victims.

Last November, the DA's office filed six felony counts against Alejos, including lewd acts upon a minor, oral copulation and annoy/molest a minor with a prior. He is being held on $70,000 bail, and his next court date was set for Feb. 21.

If anyone feels they have been victimized and/or have any additional information related to this case, you're urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-5273. You can also provide anonymous tips by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

"There could be other victims out there. It's definitely something that we want to make sure we cover that base and make sure that anybody that's out there reports it to authorities," said LASD Lt. Andrew Meyer. "There were inappropriate things that were said by the suspect. There was inappropriate touching. There was inappropriate sexual touching, and the things that that he did, and the way he tried to coerce these teenage boys was also very inappropriate."

Alejos has a prior misdemeanor conviction dating back to 2013 for annoying or molesting a child. This conviction occurred while he was under the employment of the El Monte Union High School District.

El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga released the following statement:

"After the El Monte Union High School District became aware that one of our campus supervisors was arrested while working as a volunteer for another organization, the District took immediate action and has been working closely with local law enforcement in their investigation. The employee, who went through all the appropriate background checks prior to employment, has not returned to work since the arrest and is prohibited from entering any District campus. We are encouraging anyone with information or any potential victims to contact the District or the Sheriff's Department. The El Monte Union High School District is deeply committed to placing the highest priority on ensuring the safety, security and well-being of all students and cultivating a safe learning environment."

The sheriff's department incorrectly stated the church's location as South El Monte but later issued a correction, saying the church is located in El Monte.