Editor’s note: This article refers to sexual violence committed against a child, which some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
A California man who co-founded Living Faith Church in San Diego with his wife, Angela Dela Cruz (who is co-pastor as well as an adult entertainer), pleaded guilty to raping his younger sister and faces 30 years in prison.
Stephen Dela Cruz pleaded guilty to committing eight felonies, all “considered violent…under California law,” against his sister, Samantha, that she says occurred when she was eight years old.
“Samantha was incredibly brave, courageous and just never gave up,” said Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, who prosecuted the case, in a press release. “Despite multiple setbacks and delays, she kept fighting for justice and to have her voice heard in court.”
“Because of her determination to see her brother held accountable for these egregious crimes, the legal process did ultimately work,” he added.
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California Man Pleads Guilty to 8 Felonies
Stephen Dela Cruz’s website says he is “a dynamic entrepreneur, speaker, and Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist.” He and his wife, Angela, founded Living Faith Church in September 2021.
At the time, they described the church as “for sinners, by sinners,” stating, “Come be part of an amazing community that’s nonjudgmental, open minded, fun and loves Jesus. Where else will you find a adult actress who is also a pastor?! This is a unique church that welcomes all sinners but glorifies Jesus!”
The couple has been open about Angela’s occupation as a sex worker. In an Instagram post in May 2021, Angela said that God had helped her find healing and accept herself for who she is. “Love me, hate me, I don’t care because I love who I am,” she said. “If you judge me because of my occupation that is your problem.”
On May 14, Stephen Dela Cruz pleaded guilty to “three counts of forcible rape, three counts of forcible oral copulation, and two counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object,” according to the DA’s office, which added, “[Dela Cruz] also admitted to the special allegations that the victim was under 18 years of age.”
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