Pastor with local ties accused of sexually assaulting girl arraigned

BLYTHE, Calif. (KESQ) - A 41-year-old pastor in the Coachella and Palo Verde valleys accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a girl pleaded not guilty today to felony charges.  

Lino Hernandez of Mesa Verde was arrested last Wednesday following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation that began in June.   

Hernandez is charged with four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, two counts of lewd acts on a minor and one count of forcible penetration.

He was arraigned Tuesday before Superior Court Judge Randolph Rogers, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Sept. 22 at the Blythe Courthouse.

The defendant was being held without bail at the Benoit Detention Center.   

According to sheriff's Sgt. Bryan Berryman, after detectives received the initial report in June of an alleged assault, they began gathering evidence that ultimately pointed to Hernandez as the alleged perpetrator, confirming that he "served as pastor at churches in the Blythe and Indio areas."  

Specific details about the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, and the period during which she was allegedly assaulted were not provided.   

A search warrant was obtained and served at Hernandez's property in the 18000 block of Cottonwood Avenue in Blythe, where he was taken into custody without incident.

He has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.