A man from California, who has previously worked as both a pastor and a Jiu-jitsu instructor, is facing accusations of sexually abusing children over a prolonged period. Authorities have warned that more victims may still come forward.
Emmanuel Marchica, age 51 and a resident of Hollister, was taken into custody on July 10. This arrest came after detectives from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office began looking into accusations of continuous child sexual abuse. The investigation rapidly grew to include multiple victims.
Originally, the inquiry was triggered by a report received on July 5. It alleged ongoing abuse of a child. Following this, detectives interviewed witnesses and identified additional victims before executing several search warrants, which eventually resulted in Marchica’s arrest.
Investigators indicated that victim testimonials trace back to 2012. This has led them to believe that more victims and witnesses might still come forward.
At the time of his arrest, Marchica was performing pastoral duties and leading religious gatherings at a community center in the Hidden Valley region of San Benito County, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives noted that Marchica had previously operated bakery businesses in Prunedale and Monterey, as well as gyms located in Sand City, Seaside, and Prunedale. There, he offered physical and massage therapy services and instructed Jiu-jitsu. These roles may have introduced him to additional victims over the years.
Marchica is now in the Monterey County Jail, facing multiple felony counts. These include lewd acts with a child, sexual penetration of a child, oral copulation with a child, and acts intended to annoy or molest a child. His bail is set at $17.5 million.
The sheriff’s office has urged anyone potentially victimized by Marchica, or who possesses information that may assist the ongoing investigation, to contact their detectives.
“Detectives recognize that victims of sexual abuse often delay reporting. Regardless of the timeline, investigators want victims to know they will be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect,” stated the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to Detective Janelli Arroyo at (831) 755-7261 or Detective Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy at (831) 755-3773.