Overview
- Law enforcement arrested 51-year-old Emmanuel Marchica after a July 5 report, booked him on July 10 into the Monterey County Jail on counts including lewd acts with a child and sexual penetration, and set bail at $17.5 million.
- Detectives say they have identified at least four alleged victims so far and uncovered disclosures that reach back to 2012, and they believe additional victims and witnesses may exist in the community.
- Authorities say Marchica’s roles as a pastor in the Hidden Valley community, a jiu-jitsu instructor and owner of gyms and bakeries put him in regular contact with children, which investigators are examining for links to alleged abuse.
- Investigators served multiple search warrants, interviewed witnesses and have publicized contact numbers for Detective Janelli Arroyo and Detective Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy as they continue to gather evidence and follow leads.
- Neighbors described shock and concern in the gated community where Marchica lived, and officials warned that delays in reporting sexual abuse are common and urged anyone with information to come forward to support victims and the probe.