The PennZone

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. & COSTA MESA, Calif. - PennZone -- Easton & Easton, LLP, a dedicated advocate for victim rights, has filed a comprehensive complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, on behalf of Plaintiff Isaiah Valdez against The Dwelling Place Anaheim (formerly Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Anaheim), Vineyard USA, and other unnamed defendants. The lawsuit alleges that these entities failed to protect Valdez, a minor congregant, from repeated alleged sexual abuse by Ryan Doezie, a former employee, agent, and youth group leader affiliated with the church, between 2006 and 2011 when Valdez was aged 11 to 16.

The 56-page complaint, filed under California Code of Civil Procedure §340.1, details nine causes of action, including negligence, negligent supervision, negligent retention/hiring, negligent failure to warn/train/educate, breach of fiduciary duty, constructive fraud (Civil Code §1573), sexual harassment (Civil Code §51.9), sexual battery, and sexual assault. It asserts that Doezie's actions were facilitated by the defendants' systemic failures. The alleged abuse occurred on church premises and during church-related activities, with Valdez contending that Doezie exploited his position of trust.

According to the complaint, Valdez suffered severe psychological, mental, and emotional distress, including anger, sadness, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, debilitating trust issues, flashbacks, guilt, shame, hypervigilance, and fear. The lawsuit alleges that Vineyard Anaheim and Vineyard USA, a Texas-based nonprofit overseeing 491 congregations including a SoCal Region, were negligent in supervising Valdez and Doezie despite warning signs of Doezie's alleged predatory behavior, such as grooming through gifts, alcohol, pornography, and secluded outings.

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The complaint highlights specific failures, including that the church knew or should have known of Doezie's misconduct, including sexual grooming and prior inappropriate behavior with minors, yet allowed him to remain in a position of authority and instead concealed the risk to protect their reputation. This cover-up, the filing argues, enabled the abuse to continue unabated.

Valdez had powerful words to offer at the time of filing of the Complaint, stating, "Like Jonestown or NXIVM, the church I poured my life into betrayed me, protecting a predator who shattered my soul, then dared to call me "disruptive" for speaking up, while its leaders stood by and did nothing to stop the person who abused me from the ages of eleven to sixteen. After nearly 20 years of shame, pain, and silence, as my trust turned to ash, I am rising in my truth, praying that more survivors will break their silence and strike fear into every coward who still hides abuse."

Easton & Easton, LLP, led by attorneys W. Douglas Easton, Brian W. Easton, and Saul E. Wolf emphasizes the courage of Valdez in coming forward. "Isaiah's bravery in pursuing this case is a testament to his strength," said Saul E. Wolf, lead counsel. "Our firm is committed to holding Vineyard Anaheim, Vineyard USA, and their affiliates accountable for their negligence and cover-up, ensuring justice for Isaiah and potentially other victims. We urge anyone else affected to contact law enforcement."

The complaint also references Vineyard USA's broader history of sexual abuse scandals, including the 2007 case of Jackson Gatlin in Duluth, the 2023 conviction and GRACE investigation confirming systemic failures, and allegations against former leader Carl Medearis, suggesting a pattern of institutional misconduct.

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If you or a loved one has been victimized while attending The Dwelling Place Anaheim and Vineyard USA, or have allegedly endured misconduct by Ryan Doezie, please contact the Anaheim police department at  (714) 765-1900 or your local law enforcement.

For media inquiries or to speak with a representative, contact Saul E. Wolf at (714) 850-4590 or swolf@eastonlawoffices.com. Easton & Easton, LLP, located at 650 Town Center Drive, Suite 1850, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.  Click here to review the official complaint filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Orange.