Police arrest church pastor as child sexual assault suspect in Woodland Park

TELLER COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Johnny Monderen, 49, was free on bond Wednesday after his arrest last week on charges of child sexual assault.

Woodland Park police took Monderen — who is pastor of Church of the Son in Colorado Springs, according to the church’s website — into custody last Friday at his home.

He’s facing felony charges of sexual assault on a child, sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust and sexual exploitation of a child.

Monderen also is charged with menacing and unlawful display of sexually explicit matter, both misdemeanors.

A judge allowed Monderen to be released on bond because he isn’t considered a flight risk or a threat to the community.

“With school being back in, a lot of the kids are reporting things that have happened while they’ve been out of school because of COVID,” said police Commander Andrew Leibbrand.

“So we are seeing a little bit of a rise in reporting, kids reporting things. So that’s kind of what tipped us off here, was a report to an older sibling. But he finally reported to somebody who was able to come and tell us.”

Police said the victim has been taken from the home to a safe location, and are investigating the possibility of other victims “from many years ago.”

Monderen’s next scheduled court appearance is Nov. 5.