Volunteer charged in Richmond church sexual assault
RICHMOND — A former volunteer at a Richmond church has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a female music student over several years, police said Friday.
Police said they believe the suspect, Miguel Angel Villalobos-Ramirez, 37, of Richmond, may also be responsible for similar assaults at other Bay Area churches.
So far he has been charged by Contra Costa County prosecutors with two counts of rape and two counts of sexual penetration with a foreign object.
He was arrested June 21 and remains in custody at the West County Detention Facility in lieu of $400,000 bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary examination on July 8.
Police said Friday that on March 21 of this year, they were contacted by a woman who reported that while attending music lessons as a younger person at St. Cornelius Catholic Church, 205 28th St., she was sexually assaulted by Villalobos-Ramirez. Church officials said he was a volunteer in the music ministry.
The woman told police the abuse went on from 2010 to 2022, beginning when she was a minor and continuing until she was an adult.
Police began an extensive investigation that ended with Villalobos’ arrest and formal charging on Tuesday. According to court documents, the confirmed alleged assaults happened between January 2019 and January 2023.
Police said 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 was also a volunteer in the music ministry at the two other churches.
Police said that based on information uncovered during the investigation, it is believed there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward. Police urge anyone who had any inappropriate contact with Villalobos, or who knows of any such incidents, to immediately contact Detective Terry Thomas at 510-621-1746 or via email at Terry.Thomas@RichmondPD.net.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland said in a statement Friday it was made aware of the allegations and has been working with police. It has also asked the churches named to announce to their parishioners in English and Spanish the allegations and the arrest and ask that if they have any information to contact Richmond police.
The statement said Villalobos-Ramirez had been allowed to volunteer at the churches “after he received safe environment training and a background check.”
“We understand how important it is for us to honor the trust you place with us to care for your loved ones, and we continue daily to do everything we can to provide a safe, healthy and holy environment here at our parish,” the statement also said. “Thank you for doing your part in our shared responsibility.”
It asked anyone who has information concerning an allegation of sexual misconduct by a clergy member or any diocesan employee or volunteer to contact their local law enforcement agency.