Rio Linda Pastor Charged with Child Molestation, by Cathy Locke, Sacramento Bee, January 3, 2011

Rio Linda Pastor Charged with Child Molestation

By Cathy Locke
Sacramento Bee
January 3, 2011

http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/2010/12/rio-linda-pasto.html

The pastor of the Rio Linda Baptist Church is being held in Sacramento County Main Jail on $6 million bail, charged with multiple counts of sexual child molestation.

Citrus Heights Police announced late Thursday that Tom Gene Daniels, 48, was arrested Dec. 9. Lt. Ray Bechler said police had postponed publicizing the arrest while they continued their investigation into the case.

The District Attorney's Office's increased Daniels' bail from $1 million to $6 million earlier this month because Daniels was considered a flight risk, Bechler said.

Daniels has been employed as a foster parent and day care provider, and currently is the head pastor at the Rio Linda Baptist Church.

Bechler said the charges against Daniels involve incidents that allegedly occurred between June 2004 and June 2007. Citrus Heights Police investigated an initial complaint in 2008 but were unable to come up with enough evidence for the DA to file charges, he said. In recent months, another victim came forward. The district attorney filed charges Dec. 9, and Daniels was arrested the same day.

Court documents show that he was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday, but it was continued to Jan. 20.

Police ask anyone with information regarding Daniels to contact Bechler at the Citrus Heights Police Department, (916) 727-5500.

Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287 or clocke@sacbee.com