Former Pastor Lino Hernandez Arrested in Blythe, California, on Alleged Child Sexual Assault Charges

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Lino Hernandez, 41, in connection with an alleged sexual assault of a minor in Blythe, California. Reports describe Hernandez differently. One says he previously served as a pastor in Blythe and Indio, another calls him a former Indio pastor, and a third describes him as a pastor from the Coachella and Palo Verde valleys.

According to the reports, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation in June after a report of an alleged assault was received. The reports differ on the wording of that detail, with one describing the investigation as following allegations that Hernandez engaged in such misconduct.

Hernandez was taken into custody on August 12, after deputies executed a search warrant at his residence in Blythe. Reports consistently place the arrest at that residence.

Hernandez has been charged with multiple felonies, according to MyNewsLA.com. The listed charges are four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, two counts of lewd acts on a minor, and one count of forcible penetration. Other outlets report that he was arrested on multiple child sexual assault charges without listing the individual counts. These are charges, not findings of guilt, and the reports do not describe a plea or any court ruling.

Authorities are seeking possible additional victims, according to NBC Los Angeles. Seeking other people who may have been harmed keeps the work of protecting the vulnerable at the center of the case (Proverbs 31:8-9).