HOLLISTER (CA)
KSBW [Salinas CA]
July 17, 2026
By Ricardo Tovar
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Hollister man for sexually assaulting at least four children, and authorities believe there could be additional victims.
Emmanuel Marchica, 51, of Hollister, was arrested and booked on July 10, 2026, on charges of lewd or lascivious acts with a child, sexual penetration of a child, oral copulation of a child, and annoying or molesting a child, according to a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
On July 5, a report of ongoing sexual abuse of a child was made to the sheriff’s office. Investigators followed up by interviewing witnesses and subsequently identified several other victims, according to the sheriff’s office.
Based on the evidence, authorities said there was enough to book Marchica into the Monterey County Jail.
The investigation uncovered victims whose disclosures date back to 2012. Based on this and other evidence gathered, the spokesperson said there is reason to suspect there may be additional victims and witnesses in the community.
Marchica was serving as a pastor and regularly offering religious services at a community gathering center in the Hidden Valley community in San Benito County on Cienega Road.
He also previously owned a bakery in Prunedale and Monterey, as well as gyms in Sand City, Seaside, and Prunedale, where he offered physical therapy and massage therapy services. During one of those therapies, one of the victims was allegedly molested, per the sheriff’s office.
He was also a jiu-jitsu instructor, according to the sheriff’s office.
His bail has been set at $17.5 million, according to the sheriff’s office.
Anyone who may have been victimized by the suspect, or who has any further information, is asked to contact investigators.
Detective Janelli Arroyo can be reached at 831-755-7261, and Detective Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy can be reached at 831-755-3773.