RICHMOND – A former volunteer at a Richmond church was arrested and charged with sexually abusing a music student over several years, police said Friday.
Police imagine the suspect, Miguel Angel Villalobos-Ramirez, 37, of Richmond, could also be accountable for similar attacks at other churches within the Bay Area.
He has thus far been charged by the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office with two counts of rape and two counts of sexual penetration with a foreign object.
He was arrested on June 21 and stays within the West County Detention Facility pending $400,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 8.
Police said Friday that they were contacted on March 21 of this 12 months by a lady who reported that as a young woman she had been sexually abused by Villalobos-Ramirez during her music lessons at St. Cornelius Catholic Church, 205 twenty eighth St. Church officials said he was a volunteer within the music ministry.
The woman told police that the abuse lasted from 2010 to 2022, starting when she was a minor and continuing until she reached maturity.
Police launched an in depth investigation that culminated in Villalobos' arrest and formal charges on Tuesday. According to court documents, the confirmed alleged assaults occurred between January 2019 and January 2023.
According to police, Villalobos has worked as a volunteer at several churches throughout the Bay Area since 2010, including St. Cornelius, St. Clement's Catholic Church in Hayward and most recently, until his arrest, Queen of all Saints Church in Concord. Church officials said he also volunteered within the music ministry at the opposite two churches.
Police said that based on information gained throughout the investigation, it’s believed there are additional victims who haven’t yet come forward. Police are urging anyone who has had inappropriate contact with Villalobos or knows of such incidents to instantly contact Detective Terry Thomas at 510-621-1746 or via email at Terry.Thomas@RichmondPD.net.
The statement said Villalobos-Ramirez was given the volunteer work on the churches “after completing safe work training and a background check.”
“We know how important it is for us to honor the trust you place in us to care for your loved ones, and we continue to do everything we can every day to provide a safe, healthy and sacred environment here in our community,” the statement continued. “Thank you for doing your part in our shared responsibility.”
Anyone with information regarding an allegation of sexual misconduct by a clergy member or a diocese worker or volunteer is asked to contact their local police department.
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