Home › Crime, Courts & Public Safety › Courts
Man pleads guilty to molestation
Sentencing set for former Camarillo youth minister
Download this story as a podcast!
McDowell
STORY TOOLS 
More from CourtsA former Camarillo youth minister, Markus "Mark" Holland McDowell, will be sentenced on Oct. 14 after he pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of molesting a minor victim and two counts of digital penetration, said prosecutor Gilbert Romero.
McDowell, 48, could get as many as four years behind bars when he is sentenced, Romero said.
"I was looking forward to trying the case, but I think Mr. McDowell decided to take responsibility," Romero said.
The alleged victims were young girls when the reported incidents took place in the 1990s.
According to the Sheriff's Department, McDowell met the girls through a youth ministry program at Camarillo Church of Christ, where he had served as a youth minister.
Detectives learned of the allegations in 2006 and arrested McDowell last year.
Romero said McDowell, who was going to be tried this week, is out on bail until he is sentenced.
"The victims are all adults, and they allege to have been molested between 1991 and 1998," said Romero.
According to authorities, the normal statute of limitations for such charges is three years. State lawmakers, however, enacted legislation that allows people to report such incidents after more than three years and gives prosecutors a year after that to file charges.
McDowell also taught religion courses at Westmont College and Pepperdine University, according to officials at the two institutions.
McDowell was a full-time lecturer and adjunct religious professor at Pepperdine University from 1996 to 2005, a spokeswoman for the university said after his arrest.
He was working at Westmont College in Santa Barbara last year, said an official in the college's Public Affairs Office following McDowell's arrest in June 2007.
McDowell had worked at Westmont during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 school years, teaching five classes including courses related to the New Testament.
Posted by tom on July 30, 2008 at 5:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And why is this good man still out on bail? Prelude to a light sentence... May he receive the very maximum...
Posted by lilmamma on July 30, 2008 at 6:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hell get 4 years in prison and do it again to another child.4 years doesnt do anything for his victims. He should have recieved 10 years and have to register as a sex offender.
Posted by West_to_East on July 30, 2008 at 6:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
funny lilmamma you say four years doesn't do anything. people dont even make it months in prison. HINT HINT Child Molestors. I mean if you were a male and went to prison already you would know but you dont so keep your opinion on that.
So like I said he will get sent to the right prison and eventually his crime will be found out and state tax payers will be paying for a wooden box to put this guy in the dirt.
Posted by Schoolbusdude01 on July 30, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lilmamma_despite the "light" sentance he will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Posted by at8man on July 30, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Make him slide down a huge razor blade.
Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on July 30, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"could get as many as four years behind bars when he is sentenced"
WTF? Hope that's a misprint............
Posted by mommainthe805 on July 30, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
at8man: and into a pool of battery acid.
Posted by mommainthe805 on July 30, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He should be put in with general population instead of protected like they usually are, once in prison. let the inmates who have kids handle it.
Posted by vickicassidy2 on July 30, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why are there so many religous perverts out there??? Its so discusting.
Posted by shuldbworkin805 on July 30, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
scott fx sick but funny.I love how he does four years and his victims do life.hopefully they get the counseling they need and he gets the punishment he needs.Props to the star for actually posting the pervs pic.
Posted by eceb on July 30, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
West_to_East... you're naive if you think that child molestors are killed in prison. Yes, I've heard that as well, but have you ever looked at the Megan's Law website? How do you think all of those sex offenders are walking around in your neighborhood? Obviously the vast majority make it back out and quite a number of them attack more victims. That's the reason we have those type websites. So that we can protect our families the best we can.
Posted by Relvd98 on July 30, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a sick dude.
Posted by yotonto on July 30, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's about time the Star published a suspects picture on-line. This is the second or third one in as many weeks, I know slow, but it's there.
Lets hope the Star is getting the message from all the negative comments about not posting pictures and does an about face on this policy.
The Star should be concerned about the masses that expect to see them to the right thing rather than the few that 'may' get upset about seeing "complete descriptions" printed.
Circulation is down for a reason. People are tired of their ineptness.
Posted by mIssSIdekIck on July 30, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
just looking at him makes me sick! hopefully them 4yrs make a impact on him!
Posted by mommainthe805 on July 30, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
eceb: They are walking around neighborhoods now because when they were IN jail, they were in a seperate section protected from general population trading sick stories with other pervs. General population does NOT like child molestors.
Posted by mommainthe805 on July 30, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Junior: I didn't even read your comment before I posted to eceb...you're right.
Posted by julesfoster1976 on July 30, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow... the tax abuser gets almost as much time as the child molester. Saddening...
I can only imagine how many years of emotional scars his victims will have to endure. I'm sure its been more than 4 already! Meanwhile, hes been an educator, scholar, and respected citizen up until his arrest a year ago.
Posted by thetruthdotcom on July 30, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yeah it's "discusting" like vicki said
Posted by opns on July 30, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sexual abuse is the same as murder - he should get the death penalty.
I'm so sick and tired of the leniency these perverts get. Why are out children being victimized by the court system as well?
Posted by opns on July 30, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jr, i'm for starting up the death penalty in San Quintin, maybe people would start seeing things a bit differently here in California, there are over 600 on death row that should be gone now.
Posted by bugmenot on July 30, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Adam, Australia?
Posted by Relvd98 on July 30, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yea Adam, where to? Ireland maybe?
Posted by opns on July 30, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
adam, are you out of your mind or what - deport him so that he can rape and molest there too. Please - if the the death penalty, in which we (calif) so delicately protect - then castrate and lobodimize. Then put him on an island. And let him rot.
Posted by mommainthe805 on July 30, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think ADAM was making a joke, guys, refering to how EVERYONE wants blame everything on immigrants. Funny!
Posted by opns on July 30, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well I'm sorry, I draw the line when joking, and this is not funny at all, ask the child and other victims. Take your jokes somewhere else Adam and anyone else that wants to joke with him.
Posted by mommainthe805 on July 30, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know this is not funny, I WAS a victim. So I know...one in 3 kids has some form of "inappropriate" if not "lewd" act done to them. It is our job to not give people (even ones we think we can trust) access to our children...and we should always leave the communication lines open with our kids. I am constantly aware of marks or wierd behavior from my kids and do not trust them with even uncles, neighbors, alone with teachers, coachs, etc.
Posted by 805Mommaof2 on July 30, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gilbert Romero...that name sounds vaguely familiar...kudos to you...not sure if these types of cases are your normal field, but keep on getting those bad guys and continue the fight to protect our children, thank you!
Posted by opns on July 30, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All, unison now, applaude your govenor
Attack your fellow neighbor, it just may grant you a handshake of course after he educates you. Oh, and neighbor, you can't dodge that bullet yet, you can't protect your children from molesters. How dare you is what he is saying to us, another slap in the face. Read the sidebar too.
http://gov.ca.gov/issue/prisons/
Posted by sunnbear on July 30, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Four years is a slap on the wrist! This man was a youth minister. Someone the kids trust and admire. This is lower than low. The predator becomes the prey. He's damn fortunate that it wasn't my girls. He would not have a chance to be arrested, bailed out, plead guilty or have a long dramn out trial. He would become dirt!
Posted by sunnbear on July 30, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is about as sick as the front page article Mr. Kisken wrote about the fair this year. Talk about taking a family function and junking it up! I urge all of you to read the article, it's on the homepage.
patticakepatti, How can you possibly believe that the stupid comment in the fair article is worse than this? Twisted reality.
Posted by opns on July 30, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes Mr. Romero, good job, now please take him down, make Ventura County proud by not just slappig him in the hand.
http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/st...
This is disgusting!!!
Posted by 805Mommaof2 on July 30, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The vaguely familiar comment was only meant because I knew the prosecutor once upon a time...small world I guess! If you are reading this...good job!
Posted by 805Mommaof2 on July 30, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree caddieman805...I do not believe these types can be rehabilitated, send them away some where far away from civilization, far from children and no computer access!
Posted by Adam_Monroe on July 30, 2008 at 6:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Deport him to a remote island with others just like him...let them live "Lord of the Flies" style and pit them against convicted gang members that have also been deported to the island.
Then make a reality show out of it...the last "man" standing will then be convicted of murdering all the others and hopefully given the death penalty.
Posted by senorbriar on July 30, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this guy will get less than one year in custody and probation....he'll probably be able to serve his sentence in work furlough
Posted by thorvet on July 31, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Unfortunately, churches can be too trusting that people are actually following God. Too many sick people take advantage of this naivety and the people in the congregation believe that because someone goes to church that they are "safe". The same goes for family members who believe their molester-relative is "safe" because they think they know him/her. The truth is that these people are very adept at keeping their activities under the radar and use scare tactics to silence their victims.
Jail isn't good enough and most psychologists will confirm that they cannot be rehabilitated. If we cannot execute, then we need to simply jail them for life. I like the idea of housing them in the desert with no transportation, communcations or civilization for 100 miles in any given direction. If they try to escape, they will die in the desert. We can simply do food drops.
Posted by calphamale on July 31, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As someone who personally knows McDowell, I just have to say I hope the inmates love him from Dawn till dusk. He always was a bit friendly with the girls in the youth group. Karma got ya Mark... Only thing I feel bad for, is his wife and kids and the "W" family he married into. 4 years will never erase the pain he put them and the victims through. my name above at hotmail if you need to chat about this.
Posted by mare523 on July 31, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ECEB IS RIGHT. They don't all get killed in prison.
They walk among us.
And don't even get me started on Religious Perverts. So be careful what church you join.
It's not God that is wrong, it's some of the organized churches.
Stay home and pray.
Posted by cwilson1 on August 1, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If we had laws like the other countries, like remove their there parts, if you know what I mean, we would have less problems all the way around.
Article discussions on this site are to support community debates of issues related to our stories and editorials.
Discussions should not stray from the subject of the story or editorial.
We do not allow the following:
- Posts that degrade others on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability.
- Disparaging remarks, abusive language or obscene comments.
- Threats, whether obvious or veiled.
We reserve the right to delete threads and/or ban users for these or other reasons we deem necessary.
Opinions are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.
There are 40 comments to this article.
Comments are found beneath the Yahoo! ad below.