A California man, Emmanuel Marchica, 51, from Hollister, is facing accusations of sexually abusing children over the years. Marchica, who has been identified as a pastor and a Jiu-jitsu instructor, was arrested on July 10. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into allegations of ongoing child sexual abuse, which quickly extended beyond one victim.
The investigation started on July 5 after a report of continuous sexual abuse of a child led detectives to work swiftly. They interviewed witnesses, identified several alleged victims, and executed multiple search warrants, culminating in Marchica’s arrest.
Authorities disclosed that victim reports stretch back to at least 2012. This has led detectives to suspect there may be more victims and witnesses who haven’t come forward yet.
According to the sheriff’s office, Marchica was serving as a pastor and conducting religious services at a community center in the Hidden Valley area of San Benito County when he was apprehended. They did not specify the congregation or organization involved.
Marchica also owned bakery businesses in Prunedale and Monterey and operated gyms in Sand City, Seaside, and Prunedale. These businesses offered physical and massage therapy services and served as venues where he worked as a Jiu-jitsu instructor. Investigators believe these activities may have allowed him to meet additional potential victims.
Marchica is facing multiple felony charges, including 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 has been set at $17.5 million.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone who might have been victimized by Marchica, or anyone with information relevant to the investigation, to contact the detectives on the case.
“Detectives understand that victims of sexual abuse often delay reporting for many years,” stated the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. “Regardless of when the abuse may have occurred, investigators encourage victims to know that they will be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect throughout the investigative process.”
Emmanuel Marchica’s role as a pastor and his activities in operating bakeries and gyms provided him with community connections, which are now under scrutiny as part of the ongoing investigation.
If you have pertinent information, contact Detective Janelli Arroyo at (831) 755-7261 or Detective Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy at (831) 755-3773.
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