US Pastor Arrested on Child Sexual Assault Charges as Investigation Expands to Identify Other Possible Victims

By Philip Phi Posted Aug 14, 2026 at 7:21 AM

A US pastor, Lino Hernandez, 41, has been arrested on multiple child sexual assault charges. The arrest took place in Blythe, California, following an investigation that began in June after an allegation of sexual assault against a minor. Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s residence, leading to his arrest without incident.

Hernandez has served as a pastor in Blythe and Indio, though authorities have not disclosed the specific congregations involved. It remains unclear whether the alleged offenses are connected to his pastoral duties. He was booked on multiple sexual assault charges and is currently in custody, awaiting a court appearance.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities indicating that there may be additional alleged victims. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist with the investigation. This case underscores the importance of accountability and justice, aligning with the biblical call to “let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (Micah 6:8).

As the community grapples with these serious allegations, it is crucial to remember the importance of supporting victims and ensuring a fair legal process. The pursuit of truth and justice is paramount, reflecting the biblical principle of loving one’s neighbor and caring for the vulnerable (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Source: Read the original report

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Blythe, Riverside County, California, United States

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Philip Phi

Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.

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