James Stockton, 54, pleads not guilty; next court date is Dec. 12.
TORRANCE, CA — A South Bay pastor faces a felony charge after an undercover decoy group said he arranged to meet a teenager for sex in a parking lot late last week. Prosecutors accuse James Stockton, senior pastor of South Bay Church of God, of arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes. He was arrested, later released on his own recognizance, and entered a not guilty plea.
The case drew swift attention because it involves a church leader and a sting run by a private group, not police. Investigators are reviewing video and text messages the group says came from Stockton, along with footage recorded as he arrived for the alleged meet-up. The pastor’s release without bail and a court date set for next week keep the case active while officials sort what is evidence and what may need corroboration. Congregants and community members are waiting to see whether more charges are filed or if additional witnesses come forward as the review continues.
According to the group that organized the sting, Stockton began chatting online with someone he believed was a 16-year-old boy. Messages the group later posted include casual introductions and school-day questions, then turn explicit. In one exchange, the sender asks, “What time you get out of school today?” A later string of texts includes a promise to “be gentle” and ensure the teen was “enjoying it,” the group said. When Stockton arrived to meet the decoy, members confronted him on camera. “Actually, I was hoping and praying that it was somebody older,” he said in the recorded clip after realizing he had been approached by adults and not a teenager. The group, which calls itself Caught Fished, says it alerts law enforcement after each recorded encounter and preserves chat logs, screenshots and video.
Authorities said the current complaint includes one felony count: arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes. Stockton, 54, pleaded not guilty and was released pending further proceedings. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is assessing the materials collected by the citizens who staged the meetings, as well as any additional digital records that can be independently verified. Members of South Bay Church of God declined on-camera interviews outside the church, saying they were surprised by the news and had seen only the circulating video. As of this week, officials have not publicly said whether other possible victims have been identified or if additional complaints are expected, leaving that point unknown while the review continues.
Public records and prior news reports show Stockton has ministered in California and has had affiliations with a church in Florida. He also previously ran for Congress, a detail that drew broader attention once his name appeared in court filings. Citizen-led decoy operations like the one in this case have sprung up across Southern California in recent years, often live-streaming confrontations and handing off screenshots to police. Law enforcement agencies have said such groups can generate leads but also present challenges for prosecutions if evidence is incomplete or if interactions risk entrapment defenses. In past cases, prosecutors have emphasized that charges must rest on admissible records, such as authenticated chats, device forensics and witness testimony presented under oath.
Court records list Stockton’s next appearance for Dec. 12 in Los Angeles County. Prosecutors could amend the complaint as they receive more materials, a routine step in cases that begin with a single count and evolve as digital forensics are processed. If the current charge moves forward, the case would proceed to a preliminary hearing where a judge decides whether enough evidence exists to hold Stockton for trial. Defense counsel could seek to suppress certain messages or video, challenge the credibility of the decoy operation, or request additional time to review discovery. Any protective orders, if requested, would govern contact with minors and the use of electronic devices while the case is pending.
Outside the church this week, some members stopped to talk briefly but declined to appear on camera. One congregant said the allegations were “a shock,” adding that the small South Bay congregation had not received formal guidance beyond what was already circulating online. Antoine, the founder of Caught Fished, said in an interview that the pastor “very well knew” he was chatting with someone who said he was 16 and that the messages became explicit. “These are the ones that we trust,” Antoine said, referring to clergy. The group said it provided the full chat history, time-stamped screenshots and raw video to authorities for review. Neighbors described a quiet block and expressed frustration that the case had surfaced through social media first, then moved into court.
As of Friday, Stockton remains free on his recognizance while the felony case is pending. Prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected in court Dec. 12 for the next update, where scheduling and any changes to the complaint could be set on the record.
Author note: Last updated December 5, 2025.