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RICHMOND — An East Bay pastor has been charged with 16 counts related to a massive child molestation investigation that so far has uncovered four alleged victims, court records show.
Victor Manuel Hernandez-Pineda, of the Iglesia Pentecostes Movimiento De Gloria, was charged with kidnapping, multiple counts of forcible rape, committing lewd acts upon a minor, and annoying or molesting a minor. He remains in jail in lieu of $7 million bail, which is likely to be raised even more at his arraignment Wednesday morning.
Hernandez-Pineda was arrested last week after a tip from one of the victims that led to police obtaining a warrant to arrest him on suspicion of kidnapping and child molestation, authorities said. In the days since his arrest, three more girls, all younger than 16, have come forward, authorities said.
Hernandez-Pineda, 53, is listed as the director of the Richmond church located on 3rd Street at Macdonald Avenue. He lives in Oakland. His attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.
Originally published at Nate Gartrell