HOLLISTER, Calif., July 21 (San Francisco News Online) — Monterey County sheriff’s investigators arrested Emmanuel Marchica, 51, of Hollister, on July 10 and booked him into county jail on multiple felony charges in a child sexual abuse case, the sheriff’s office said.
Detectives began investigating July 5 after deputies received a report alleging ongoing sexual abuse of a child, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators later said interviews with witnesses led them to identify additional alleged victims.
The sheriff’s office said disclosures from victims date back to at least 2012 and that there may be more victims and witnesses. One local television report said detectives believe at least four children were sexually molested.
Authorities said Marchica was serving as a pastor at a community gathering center in the Hidden Valley community of San Benito County when he was arrested. They did not identify the congregation or organization.
Investigators also said Marchica previously owned bakery businesses in Prunedale and Monterey and gyms in Sand City, Seaside and Prunedale. They said those businesses involved physical therapy, massage therapy and jiu-jitsu instruction, which may have brought him into contact with additional potential victims.
Marchica was booked on suspicion of lewd or lascivious acts with a child, sexual penetration of a child, oral copulation with a child and annoying or molesting a child, the sheriff’s office said. Bail was set at $17.5 million, and detectives are asking anyone with information or possible victimization to contact them.
