The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is looking for potential victims of child sexual abuse following the arrest of a pastor in the Hidden Valley community of San Benito County.
Emmanuel Marchica, 51, of Hollister, was taken into custody July 10. He served as a pastor at a community gathering center on Cienega Road in San Benito County, deputies said.
He was accused of lewd or lascivious acts with a child, sexual penetration of a child, oral copulation with a child and annoying or molesting a child. His bail was set at $17.5 million.
Marchica previously owned bakeries in Prunedale and Monterey and gyms in Sand City, Seaside and Prunedale, where he offered physical therapy and massage. He was also a Jiu-jitsu instructor, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Investigators have identified victims whose disclosures date back to 2012. “Detectives believe there are additional victims who have not yet come forward and are urging anyone with information to contact investigators,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Anyone who may have been victimized by Marchica, or anyone with information that may assist investigators, is asked to contact Detective Janelli Arroyo at 831-755-7261 or Detective Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy at 831-755-3773.