A
youth minister at a Westlake Village church has been charged
with engaging in lewd contact with two teen-agers, authorities
said Wednesday.
Timothy Bayne Bernstein, 40, was charged Tuesday with 10
counts of engaging in lewd conduct with two minors between
1987 and 1991, said Los Angeles County Deputy District
Attorney Gina Satriano. One boy was between 14 and 15 at the
time and the other was younger, she said.
Bernstein pleaded not guilty to the felony counts in Los
Angeles County Superior Court in Malibu, she said. His bail
was set at $500,000.
If convicted, he could face a maximum prison sentence of 20
years and eight months.
Bernstein was a volunteer at Calvary Community Church at
the time of the alleged incidents and became a paid staff
member in 1991, according to a church spokeswoman. She said he
is director of youth ministry and that he is on administrative
leave.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Detective Ronald
Williams said he learned of the alleged acts Jan. 29. Williams
works in the family crimes bureau.
According to Williams, a person who is mandated by law to
report such acts contacted the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station.
Williams said the alleged acts occurred in four jurisdictions
but would not be more specific. The names of the teens were
not released.
Bernstein turned himself in to the Lost Hills Station on
March 30, after learning that police had issued a warrant,
Williams said.
