December 25, 2005

Bail raised for pastor accused of child molestation

CALIFORNIA
San Francisco Chronicle

Saturday, December 24, 2005

(12-24) 18:52 PST Salinas, Calif. (AP) --

A pastor accused of molesting a mentally handicapped teenager has been charged with multiple felony counts and could face more as another victim surfaced, prosecutors said.

At his arraignment Friday, Monterey County Superior Judge Marla Anderson raised Donald Domelle's bail from $300,000 to $510,000 at the request of prosecutors, who said more charges likely will be filed against Domelle.

"At this point, what we know is that there is a second victim, with a second series of sexual assaults," said prosecutor Gary Thelander. "I'm pretty confident that we will be filing additional charges."

Domelle, 53, a pastor at the Baptist Temple of Salinas, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of molesting the 16-year-old girl, after his church, home and used car lot were searched.

Posted by kshaw at December 25, 2005 07:35 AM