Former San Jose church leader arrested for alleged child abuse – San José Spotlight

Silicon Valley Leader Arrested for Child Sex Abuse Charges

A prominent Silicon Valley leader and former pastor has been arrested and charged with six felony counts of child sex abuse, after being under investigation this year for allegations that surfaced about his time as a youth ministry leader at a popular South Bay church.

Charges and Arrest

1. Brett Bymaster faces time behind bars for alleged lewd acts with a child who was as young as eight during his time at The River Church, according to charges by county prosecutors.
2. He was arrested and booked at the Elmwood Correctional Facility on Thursday.
3. His bond was set at $400,000, but at a Friday arraignment hearing, Judge Hector Ramon revoked his eligibility for bail at least until the next scheduled hearing on April 19, according to prosecutors.

Ramon ordered Bymaster not to contact the victim documented in the charges. He was also ordered not to contact another unnamed individual, according to the case’s prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Christopher Paynter.

Paynter said it’s too early to tell how much jail time Bymaster faces if found guilty of all charges. The trial date is a moving target.

“It’s an ongoing investigation,” Paynter told San José Spotlight.

Bymaster’s attorneys Renee Hessling and Dana Fite did not respond to requests for comment.

Church Investigation

• The arrest comes after a second investigation by The River Church in three years regarding Bymaster’s action, when five parishioner families say a 2021 probe led by church leaders failed to uncover the extent of his abuse and excluded one of the most serious claims — sexual abuse.
• At the time, Bymaster denied the allegations in a statement to San José Spotlight.
• “In recent months, we have discovered that there were profound flaws in the original pastoral inquiry process and in the denominational report (which was never released publicly but only summarized by senior leaders),” church families wrote in an open letter in January. “We now believe that the inquiry process and the senior leadership withheld crucial information about the nature and scope of the abuse.”

Background and Advocacy Work

Bymaster, a recognizable figure in advocacy and political circles, was still listed as a founder and executive director of the Healing Grove Health Center, a clinic that serves low-income families, on its website as of Friday afternoon.

A graduate of Purdue University, Bymaster studied computer engineering and worked for 15 years designing chips for medical equipment in Silicon Valley startups. He earned several patents for his inventions.

Once out of the tech sector, Bymaster got involved with social advocacy for vulnerable families.

• In 2021, around the time he was being investigated by Marks, he rallied city leaders to fix a decaying park in a vulnerable neighborhood, spoke up for businesses facing displacement, and advocated for closing Reid-Hillview Airport amid concerns about lead poisoning. He spoke at a city meeting that year about a proposal to give San Jose’s mayor more governing power under a strong mayor structure.
• Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Bymaster wrote an op-ed to this publication highlighting racial injustice and poverty exacerbated by the disease. He shared his experience participating in a Black Lives Matter march with his African granddaughter.

Contact Brandon Pho at [email protected] or @brandonphooo on X, formerly known as Twitter.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses the arrest and charges of a former pastor for child sex abuse, which directly relates to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) as it aims to ensure the well-being and safety of children. The issue also connects to SDG 4 (Quality Education) as the abuse occurred during the pastor’s time as a youth ministry leader, highlighting the importance of creating safe environments for children in educational settings. Additionally, SDG 5 (Gender Equality) is relevant as the article mentions the alleged lewd acts with a child, emphasizing the need to address gender-based violence. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) is connected as the article mentions flaws in the original inquiry process, indicating the importance of ensuring equal treatment and protection for all individuals. Lastly, SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) is addressed as the article discusses the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings against the accused pastor, highlighting the need for a just and effective legal system.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are as follows:
– Target 3.7 is relevant as it emphasizes the importance of ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services, including education, which is crucial in preventing and addressing cases of child sex abuse.
– Target 4.7 highlights the need for education that promotes sustainable development, human rights, gender equality, and a culture of peace and non-violence. This target is relevant in addressing the issue of abuse within educational settings.
– Target 5.2 focuses on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual exploitation. This target is applicable to the article’s discussion of alleged lewd acts with a child.
– Target 10.2 emphasizes the need to promote social inclusion and equality for all individuals, regardless of their age, sex, or other status. This target is relevant in addressing the flaws in the inquiry process and ensuring equal treatment and protection for all victims.
– Target 16.3 highlights the importance of promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all. This target is applicable to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings against the accused pastor.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
– Access to sexual and reproductive health-care services: The article mentions the alleged lewd acts with a child, indicating a lack of access to appropriate sexual and reproductive health education and services.
– Integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs: The flaws in the original inquiry process mentioned in the article imply a lack of integration of reproductive health and safety measures into the church’s strategies and programs.
– Knowledge and skills acquisition for sustainable development: The article discusses the need for education that promotes sustainable development, human rights, gender equality, and a culture of peace. The extent to which these topics are included in educational programs can serve as an indicator.
– Elimination of violence against women and girls: The article highlights the alleged sexual abuse of a child, indicating a failure to eliminate violence against girls. The number of reported cases and successful prosecutions can serve as indicators.
– Social, economic, and political inclusion: The flaws in the inquiry process mentioned in the article suggest a lack of social inclusion and equal treatment for victims. Monitoring the progress in addressing these flaws and ensuring equal access to justice can serve as indicators.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators