Christopher Gonzales, 44, of Vancouver, was arrested Sunday.

On Saturday, Washington County deputies responded to a home in the Bonny Slope community to investigate a complaint that Gonzales had inappropriate sexual contact with a girl.

Investigators said he had visited the home in question many times. The reported abuse began in 2008 and continued over the course of several years, deputies said.

The abuse has been confirmed with three different girls as young as 5 years old, the Washington County Sheriff's Office reports.

According to court documents, Gonzales admitted to investigators that he had intentionally and inappropriately touched the girls at various times.

Detectives said Gonzales has served as a youth volunteer at two Vancouver churches for several years. He volunteered at Crossroads Community Church from 2010 to 2014, and the Freedom Community Church from early 2014 until now.

Gonzales passed an extensive background check before being allowed to volunteer at Crossroads Community Church, according to the executive director of operations. Additionally, the church has a longtime policy that requires at least two adults present around any children at church activities.

"We believe we follow the best practice in the way to protect the Crossroads family," said Daniel Fusco, the lead pastor. "At the same time, we're just heartbroken. I mean, we're heartbroken for all the families involved."

Deputies also learned he volunteered at Called to Rescue USA, a child abuse prevention organization based in Vancouver, since 2012. Dr. Cyndi Romine, the organization's founder, said his volunteer worked was limited to creating a video. 

Due to working in close proximity to children, detectives fear there may be more victims.

Anyone with additional information about this investigation is asked to call the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 503-846-2500.

Gonzales was booked in the Washington County Jail on nine counts of first-degree sexual abuse. His bail is $750,000.