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 did not enter a plea at his arraignment hearing Wednesday afternoon but his bail was increased from $7 million to $10 million. The court also issued a protective order forbidding him from contacting, harassing or intimidating the alleged victims.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.
The kidnapping charge, according to authorities, is for allegedly driving one victim to a place that made it easier for him to molest her.
Hernandez-Pineda, 53, of Oakland, is listed as the director of the Richmond church located on 3rd Street at Macdonald Avenue. His attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.
Hernandez-Pineda remains in jail and will next appear in court on Jan. 17.
