Official names parish where Sacramento-area suspect of underage sexual assault volunteered
A Sacramento-area church volunteer jailed Tuesday on suspicion of sexually assaulting a minor volunteered at a parish in Citrus Heights, Diocese of Sacramento officials confirmed.
Edwin Valdez, 28, was a volunteer at Holy Family Catholic Church in Citrus Heights before his arrest, said Diocesan officials.
He was being held Wednesday at Sacramento County Main Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said. Valdez’s alleged female victim had accused him of assaulting her multiple times when she was a minor.
Valdez faces a number of felony charges connected to the alleged crimes. His arraignment is scheduled for Thursday in Sacramento Superior Court.
Meantime, Sheriff’s officials are calling the case an “active and ongoing criminal investigation.” Detectives are concerned about possible other unreported cases, saying the former church volunteer may have had access to other minors through his position at his church, as well as in different roles outside of the church.
A reporter’s call to Holy Family was not returned.
In a statement, Bishop of Sacramento Jaime Soto condemned the alleged acts as “sickening,” pledging to continue to “strengthen safeguards and support survivors” of sexual assault.
“The exploitation of a child is an unspeakable, criminal evil. I am sickened by the charges of sexual abuse on the part of a parish volunteer,” the Bishop’s statement read. “I remain steadfast in my commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us. We must always remain vigilant for the sake of our children and families.”
Edwin Valdez was also a member of the Sacramento interfaith organization Sacramento ACT. Valdez’s information was taken down from its website Wednesday.
“Sacramento ACT stands with all victims of assault and takes these accusations extremely seriously,” Sacramento ACT officials said in a statement. “We are hopeful that local authorities will bring justice and healing to all who have been affected.”
The organization in the statement declined further comment.
Sheriff’s officials are asking anyone with information to contact the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Sexual and Elder Abuse Bureau at 916-874-5070 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357 (HELP).
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