Pastor's Friends Say Sex Assault Story Fabricated
TRACY (CBS13) -- A local leader is standing up for a man accused of sexually assaulting a young girl, and says the girl's family is behind the serious allegations. But police are sticking by their arrest.
Pastor Roger Rickman faced a judge today.
Rickman formally charged with heinous crimes against a 7-year-old girl, but despite that, supporters are taking his side.
With his head hung low, Rickman remained silent. Outside of the courtroom, fellow Pastor Greg Bowser and his wife spoke out.
"It's not always a child that's behind the allegations," said Evelyn.
The pair says the girl's mother made up the molestation story because she was upset with a church investment gone bad.
"Children are often coached by parents to accuse their pastor to accomplish a motive that is not right," said Greg.
Police aren't so sure. They say they don't have a reason to believe the girl was coached or is lying about being sexually assaulted.
"When we interviewed the child, she was able to provide specific details that led us to believe she was telling the truth," said Tracy Police Department Sgt. Tony Sheneman.
Investigators say the Fresh Anointing Faith International Christian Church pastor had the young girl alone in a car the abuse happened several times during the month of May.
"He was providing some transportation for the family," said Sgt. Sheneman.
Police say Rickman's church has about a hundred followers and held a Sunday service at the Tracy American Legion Hall where Rickman also served as a chaplain.
While no one else has come forward, prosecutors say there's a chance the girl isn't the only victim.
"When we have an individual who has access to large volume of people, there's always a possibility that other victims have been affected by him," Elton Grau, a prosecutor.
Rickman's attorney has asked for his client's bail to be reduced to $1.75 million. Rickman is due back in court next week.
