STOCKTON, CA - Tracy pastor Roger Rickman was arraigned on charges he inappropriately touched a 7-year-old girl several times in May.
The charge is lewd acts with a child. Police say they wouldn't be surprised if other victims now report similar incidents.
"In cases like this, it's very unlikely this is Mr. Rickman's first victim. We're hoping parents or children who see this will come forward," said Tracy police Lt. Tony Sheneman.
At Rickman's hearing, his attorney entered a plea of not guilty. Afterward, another Tracy pastor and his wife accused the parents of the young victim of inventing the accusations.
"We know there are reasons why people get mad at a pastor. Are you kidding?" said Evelyn Bowser.
Her husband said Rickman supervised church investments that didn't work out, and it was possible the parents of the alleged victim are responding by making up the molest story.
"I've been a pastor for years. I've seen this before. It's not an unknown scenario. People are often coached by parents to accuse a pastor to accomplish a motive," said Greg Bowser of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church.
Sheneman said detectives are certain the story isn't made up after they talked with the 7-year-old.
Rickman's bail was set at $1.75 million.
By tdaly@news10.net
News10/KXTV
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