East Valley Pastor Arrested on Child Sex Crimes Involving Teen Church Member

iSkyNews and Media July 29, 2025

By: Ciara Perez | Investigative Reporter | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)

Published July 29th, 2025

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MESA, AZ — A longtime pastor at an East Mesa church has been arrested on multiple counts related to the alleged sexual abuse of a minor, according to Mesa Police.

Authorities say they were alerted on May 28, 2025 to disturbing allegations involving 61-year-old Stanley Jay, a spiritual leader at the church where the victim and her mother were active members. Over the past year, Jay is accused of making inappropriate sexual comments toward a 16-year-old girl, initiating sexual contact, and soliciting explicit photographs via text messages.

Stanley Jay, 61, who is the pastor at Worship Life Center Church in Mesa

Mesa Police conducted an investigation and confirmed the existence of incriminating text exchanges. The nature of the messages and statements made by the suspect led to his arrest on July 23, 2025.

Jay was booked into jail and faces the following felony charges:

Sexual Conduct with a Minor (3 counts) – ARS 13-1405A
Molestation of a Child – ARS 13-1410A
Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation (2 counts) – ARS 13-3553A
Sexual Abuse (3 counts) – ARS 13-1404A

He is currently being held on a $200,000 bond.

👮 Call for Information Mesa Police urge anyone with additional information to come forward.

Tipsters may contact the department at 480-644-2211.

For anonymous tips, reach Silent Witness at:

📞 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377)

📞 480-TESTIGO (480-837-8446)

🌐 Submit tips online:

📡 Stay with for ongoing updates as this story develops.

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Arizona News