HOLLISTER, Calif., July 21 (San Francisco News Online) — Monterey County sheriff’s deputies arrested Emmanuel Marchica, 51, of Hollister, on July 10 on suspicion of child sexual abuse and booked him into county jail on multiple felony charges, the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators said the case began July 5 after deputies received a report of ongoing abuse involving a child. Detectives later interviewed witnesses and identified additional alleged victims, and they said disclosures in the case date back to at least 2012.
The sheriff’s office said Marchica was allegedly serving as a pastor at a community gathering center in the Hidden Valley community of San Benito County when he was arrested. Authorities did not identify the congregation or organization connected to that role.
Detectives also said Marchica previously owned bakery businesses in Prunedale and Monterey and gyms in Sand City, Seaside and Prunedale. Investigators said those businesses included work in physical therapy, massage therapy and jiu-jitsu instruction, which may have brought him into contact with more potential victims.
Marchica was booked on charges that included 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.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said it believes there may be additional victims and witnesses and is asking anyone with information to contact detectives.
