Monterey County Sheriff's Office Believes There Are Additional Victims Following Child Sexual Abuse Arrest
July 18, 2026 – Monterey County Sheriff's Office officials report that they have arrested a 
Hollister man following an investigation into the ongoing sexual abuse of a child. Detectives believe there are additional victims who have not yet come forward and are urging anyone with information to contact investigators.
On July 5, 2026, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office was made aware of allegations involving the ongoing sexual abuse of a child. The case was immediately assigned to investigators, who conducted interviews with witnesses and quickly identified several additional victims.
As the investigation progressed, detectives obtained and served multiple search warrants. Based on the evidence gathered, 51-year-old Emmanuel Marchica of Hollister, was arrested and booked into the Monterey County Jail on July 10th, 2026.
Investigators have identified victims whose disclosures date back to 2012. Based on the evidence developed thus far, detectives believe there are additional victims and witnesses within the community. Mr. Marchica was currently serving as a pastor and offering religious services on a regular basis at a community gathering center in the Hidden Valley Community of San Benito County on Cienega Road. He has also previously owned bakery businesses in Prunedale and Monterey, as well as gyms in Sand City, Seaside and Prunedale where he was offering physical therapy and massage therapy services. He was also a Jiu Jitsu instructor.
Marchica has been booked on multiple felony charges, including:
- Lewd or Lascivious Acts with a Child (Penal Code § 288(a))
- Sexual Penetration of a Child (Penal Code § 289(a)(1)(B))
- Oral Copulation Child (Penal Code § 287(B)(1))
- Annoying or Molesting a Child (Penal Code § 647.6(a)(1))
His bail has been set at $17.5 million.
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who may have been victimized by Marchica, or anyone with information that may assist investigators, to contact us. Detectives understand that victims of sexual abuse often delay reporting for many years. 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.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Janelli Arroyo at (831) 755-7261 or Detective Sergeant Nicholas Kennedy at (831) 755-3773.
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office remains committed to thoroughly investigating these allegations, identifying any additional victims, and holding those responsible accountable. Even information that may seem minor could be critical to this investigation.
Source: Monterey County Sheriff's Office
