Former Church Volunteer Sentenced for Child Molestation

Todd Christian Hartman, a former volunteer at the Anaheim Vineyard Church, has been sentenced to 120 years to life in prison for molesting young girls, including those as young as 6, and for possessing child pornography. The 41-year-old Newport Beach resident was convicted on multiple felony charges for engaging in lewd acts with minors and taking inappropriate images of one victim. Hartman's predatory behavior raised concerns among church leaders, who modified his responsibilities due to his repeated inappropriate actions with children. In a separate case, Drue Mordecai, a 59-year-old volunteer at New Vintage Church in Santa Rosa, accepted a plea deal related to sex abuse involving a minor, with sentencing expected in October. Mordecai pleaded no contest to several charges, including oral copulation and lewd acts with a child, and may face up to 12 years in prison. Both cases highlight the ongoing issue of child sexual abuse within church environments, prompting calls for greater awareness and preventive measures.