This Is A Test

A former Humboldt County pastor has pleaded guilty to charges that he sexual abused two girls, including one who was placed in his care.

The Times-Standard of Eureka reports that 50-year-old Dino Cardelli entered his plea Monday to sex abuse and molestation charges as well as 25 counts of violating a court order to not contact the victims. Cardelli was pastor of Arcata’s evangelical Calvary Chapel for 15 years. He resigned after he was arrested last September. Authorities say a 13-year-old foster child who lived in his McKinleyville home reported the abuse at her school. Prosecutors later identified a second victim. Cardelli violated the court order when he used a prepaid cell phone and a fake Facebook page to contact one of the girls. He faces 18 years in prison at his sentencing.