A pastor and jiu-jitsu instructor from Hollister, aged 51, has been arrested and is facing an astonishing bail set at $17.5 million due to allegations of sexually abusing at least four children in Monterey County.
Emmanuel Marcha was actively serving as a pastor at the Hidden Valley Community Meeting Center in San Benito County when he was taken into custody.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation after receiving reports about ongoing sexual abuse involving a child.
Following a five-day investigative effort and witness interviews, authorities arrested Marcha earlier this month.
According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, “On July 5, 2026, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office was informed of an allegation regarding the ongoing sexual abuse of a child. The case was promptly assigned to investigators, leading to interviews with witnesses and the identification of several additional victims.”
Detectives suspect that Marcha’s troubling history may extend beyond the current allegations, with accounts of misconduct potentially going back to 2012. They believe there may be more victims who have yet to come forward.
Authorities are now encouraging anyone with relevant information to contact investigators. “Detectives believe there are additional victims who have not yet come forward,” the police stated.
Marcha has held various roles in the community, including running bakeries in Prunedale and Monterey. He has also owned gyms where he provided physical therapy and massage therapy services.
He faces multiple felony charges detailing a disturbing pattern of serious offenses, which include inappropriate sexual contact and child molestation.
Anyone who might have been affected by Marcha or has information that could aid in the ongoing investigation is urged to reach out to Detective Janelli Arroyo at (831) 755-7261 or Sergeant Nicholas Kennedy at (831) 755-3773.
