A Christian youth pastor, who shared posts that claimed children weren’t safe around LGBTQ+ people, has been arrested on charges of child sexual abuse.

California pastor Joshua David Kemper was arrested earlier this week on charges involving a 15-year-old girl.

The Madera County sheriff’s office confirmed the 47-year-old pastor was taken into custody following a months-long investigation.

Detectives allege that Kemper, from Coarsegold, a town about 35 miles north of Fresno, engaged in a sexual relationship with the teenager between March and July this year. Incidents are said to have taken place at her home, in his vehicle and at the local church.

Digital evidence allegedly uncovered by investigating officers showed explicit messages, photos and videos exchanged between Kemper and the girl.

During the time he was alleged to have abused his victim, Kemper shared a post on his Facebook account that suggested LGBTQ+ people were a danger to youngsters. An AI-generated image depicted a group of young women, apparently from the kingdom of Rohan in The Lord of the Rings, holding a Pride flag and a sign that read “orcs welcome”.

A second image showed the same women standing in front their now burned home, holding a sign that said: “We don’t feel safe.”

Sharing the post, Kemper wrote: “Do you get it?”

He has been charged with a lewd or lascivious act with a minor – if convicted, he could face the minimum of eight years in jail – arranging to meet a minor for lewd purposes, creating and sharing sexual material with a minor, and sex with a minor.

The authorities have said investigations into Kemper’s activities were ongoing and, believing there could be more be more victims, urged anyone with information to contact the Madera County sheriff’s office Investigations unit on (559) 675-7770 or detective Michaela Plummer on (559) 706-1276.

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