HOLLISTER, Calif., July 21 (San Francisco News Online) — A Hollister man was arrested July 10 and booked into Monterey County Jail on multiple felony allegations in a child sexual abuse investigation that investigators say may involve additional victims dating back at least to 2012, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said.
Emmanuel Marchica, 51, was taken into custody after deputies received a report on July 5 alleging ongoing sexual abuse of a child, according to the sheriff’s office. Detectives later interviewed witnesses and said the case expanded beyond a single complainant.
The sheriff’s office said 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. Bail was set at $17.5 million.
Investigators said disclosures from victims date to at least 2012 and that they believe there may be other victims and witnesses.
At the time of his arrest, Marchica was allegedly serving as a pastor at a community gathering center in the Hidden Valley community of San Benito County, deputies said. Authorities did not identify the congregation or organization.
The sheriff’s office also said Marchica previously owned bakery businesses in Prunedale and Monterey and gyms in Sand City, Seaside and Prunedale. Investigators said those businesses involved physical therapy, massage therapy and jiu-jitsu instruction, which may have brought him into contact with additional potential victims.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information or anyone who believes they may have been victimized to contact detectives.
