Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Investigation Division are continuing to investigate a child molestation case involving 34-year-old Gabriel Lopez, a resident of Pinole.
The investigation is into allegations of molestation of two female juveniles, both of whom were participants at the Valley Bible Church Student Ministry in Hercules. The girls were at one time students of the John Swett Unified School District.
Lopez had been employed as an “at will” employee at the Valley Bible Church where he was a youth pastor from July 2011 to March 2015. He also worked as a “walk on” volunteer football coach at John Swett High School.
The allegation was first reported to the Office of the Sheriff in September 2015. After a two month investigation, the District Attorney’s Office filed six felony counts of child molestation against Lopez.
On December 10, 2015, an arrest warrant was issued and Lopez was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. He is currently being held in lieu of $520,000 bail.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims of Lopez. Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2654. For any tips, please email: [email protected] or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
