The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will not prosecute Jeff Zabel, a former Long Beach worship pastor, for possession of child sex abuse material (CSAM) at this time, despite the fact that Zabel reportedly confessed to a “moral failure.”
Authorities cite a lack of independent evidence as the reason that Zabel will not be prosecuted.
In September, Zabel was dismissed from his roles at Arbor Road Church and its affiliated school and was arrested for possession of CSAM.
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Zabel, 50, had been working as the pastor of worship and service production for Arbor Road Church since 2008. He taught music at the church’s school 10 hours a week.
In a letter sent to the congregation, Arbor Road Church expressed “a profound sense of sadness, frustration, anger, and disappointment.” The church said that after learning of Zabel’s alleged misconduct, leaders “strongly urged Jeff to face the situation with humility, honesty, and forthrightness.”
“During the hour-long meeting that followed, Jeff openly disclosed (in detail) long-term moral failure in his life spanning more than a decade,” the church said. “The severity of the deception made it crystal clear to everyone in the room that Jeff was no longer suitable for his role.”
The church said that Zabel “resigned on the spot” and that leaders “swiftly accepted his resignation.”
“Please keep Jeff’s wife, Samantha, and their three daughters in your prayers,” the church said.
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“We are standing with Sam and the girls through this, offering them support and care as they navigate these difficult waters. Join us in lifting these precious girls up to the Lord,” the church continued. “They are innocent bystanders whose worlds have been turned upside down.”
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