Irvine, Calif. (August 20, 2025) –The Irvine Police Department (IPD) arrested Michael Robert Maxwell, 42, of Irvine, for s*xually assaulting a minor.
On August 15, 2025, IPD partnered with Child Protective Services to investigate a sexual assault that occurred at a residence on Whitecloud.
The teenage female victim was s*xually assaulted by him multiple times over ten years.
Maxwell was arrested and booked at the Orange County Jail on charges of oral c*pulation, unlawful s*xual interc*urse with a minor, s*xual penetration with a foreign object, l*wd or l*scivious acts with a child, and continuous s*xual abuse of a child.
Maxwell was a prominent staff member of Redeemer Church of Orange County in Newport Beach. The Irvine Police are sharing this information and Maxwell’s photo to determine if there are additional victims.
If you have any further information on this case, contact Detective Vincent Vasquez at vvasquez@cityofirvine.org.
Here’s a summary of the potential penalties Michael Robert Maxwell could face under California law, based on the charges listed:
1. Oral C*pulation with a Minor (PC §287)
- If the victim is under 14 and more than 10 years younger than the offender:
Felony — 3, 6, or 8 years in state prison. - If force or fear was used:
Felony — 8, 10, or 12 years in state prison. - S*x offender registration: Required, typically Tier II or Tier III depending on circumstances 1.
2. Unlawful S*xual Intercourse with a Minor (Statutory R*pe, PC §261.5)
- If the offender is 21+ and the victim is under 16:
Felony — 2, 3, or 4 years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines. - S*x offender registration: May be required depending on the case.
3. S*xual Penetration with a Foreign Object (PC §289)
- If the victim is under 14:
Felony — 8, 10, or 12 years in state prison. - If the victim is 14–17 and force or fear was used:
Felony — 6, 8, or 10 years. - S*x offender registration: Required, usually Tier III (lifetime registration).
4. L*wd or L*scivious Acts with a Child (PC §288)
- If the child is under 14 and no force was used:
Felony — 3, 6, or 8 years in state prison. - If force or duress was used:
Felony — 5, 8, or 10 years. - S*x offender registration: Required, Tier II or Tier III depending on prior convictions.
5. Continuous S*xual Abuse of a Child (PC §288.5)
- If the abuse occurred over 3+ months with 3+ acts:
Felony — 6, 12, or 16 years in state prison. - S*x offender registration: Lifetime registration required.
- Three Strikes Law: This is a strike offense, increasing penalties for future convictions.
Additional Consequences
- Loss of gun rights: Permanent for felony convictions.
- Immigration consequences: Deportation risk for non-citizens.
- No expungement: Felony sex crimes with prison time are not eligible for expungement.
- Civil penalties: Possible fines and restitution to victims.