Daniel Montoya pleaded not guilty today to sexually molesting two boys more than 25 years ago, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (LADA).

Montoya, 55, was charged with three felonies: one count of failure to register as a sex offender and two counts of sodomy by use of force. 

Prosecutors said Montoya reportedly sexually assaulted two young boys in 1988 and 1989. The Long Beach Police Department also said Montoya, a former Long Beach Mormon church member, sexually molested several teenage boys in the 1970s.

Montoya is scheduled for a pre-hearing conference on December 17. If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum of 25 years to life in state prison. He currently remains in jail on $1.25M bail.

A former Long Beach church member was arrested earlier this month in connection with the sexual assault of several teenage boys in the 1970s, police said today.

Former Long Beach Church Member Arrested for Molesting Teenage Boys in the 1970s

October 30 | The Long Beach Police Department launched an investigation in April 2014 after receiving information from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints alleging that Daniel Montoya, a former church member, sexually molested several teenage boys in the 1970s, according to a statement from the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).

Detectives learned that in 1986 Montoya pled guilty to molesting two teenage boys who were members of his church in Long Beach. Under his sentencing agreement, he received three years probation, was ordered to attend psychotherapy treatment and had to register as a sex offender. After the conviction, he moved to Phoenix, where he lived without registering as a sex offender.

The latest victims did not come forward initially about the incidents because they were embarrassed by what had occured, police said. Montoya eventually called one of the victims and inquired about the victim’s eight-year-old child, which prompted the victim to report his incident, police said.

Detectives also interviewed four additional victims and learned Montoya befriended the teenage victims before sexually assaulting them.

Investigators presented these cases last month to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office (LADA), which filed three counts of sexual assault related charges and issued an arrest warrant.

LBPD detectives flew to Phoenix on October 6 and arrested 55-year-old Montoya without incident. He was transported to Long Beach on October 24 and is currently being held on $1.25M bail.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims and urge anyone who had similar contact with Montoya or information regarding someone who has, to call Long Beach Sexual Assault Investigation Detective Jennifer Kearns at 562-570-5514. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.