Pastor and BJJ Instructor Emmanuel Marchica Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Charges

Jiu-Jitsu Federation: A 51-year-old man well-known throughout Monterey and San Benito counties as a pastor and BJJ instructor now faces some of the most serious charges the legal system carries...
Following an investigation that alleges years of abuse against children who trusted him.
Emmanuel Marchica was taken into custody following a five-day investigation by the Monterey County Sheriff's Office and is being held on a $17.5 million bail.
Authorities allege he sexually abused at least four children, with alleged inappropriate behavior dating back to 2012.
At the time of his arrest, Marchica was a pastor at a community meeting center in the Hidden Valley Community of San Benito County, while also working as a Jiu-Jitsu instructor.
The case began on July 5, 2026, after the sheriff's office received a report involving ongoing sexual abuse of a child.
Investigators acted quickly, and what started as a single report expanded significantly:
On July 5, 2026, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office was notified about allegations involving ongoing sexual abuse of a child.
The case was immediately assigned to investigators, who conducted interviews with witnesses and quickly identified several additional victims.
Marchica had a widespread presence throughout the region, operating bakeries in Prunedale and Monterey and operating academies in Sand City, Seaside and Prunedale that also offered physical therapy and massage services.
Investigators say these enterprises gave him repeated access to children and youth throughout the area for years.
The felony charges against him include inappropriate sexual contact, forced sexual acts and child abuse, reflecting what detectives describe as a pattern of abuse spanning more than a decade.
Authorities believe there are additional victims who have not yet come forward:
Detectives believe there are additional victims who have not yet come forward and are urging anyone with information to contact investigators.
The article Pastor and BJJ Instructor Emmanuel Marchica Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Charges first appeared in Bjj Eastern Europe.

Source: BJJEE — read the original