"Jane Doe" - 7 yo/ Accused: Pastor Roger Rickman - Tracy CA

A Tracy pastor accused of molesting a 7-year-old girl who attended his church pleaded
not guilty Monday in a Manteca courtroom.
Roger Earl Rickman, 65, faces a possible sentence of 45 years to life for at
least five felony sexual assault charges, including three counts of sex
with a child younger than 10.
The possibility of a severe sentence is standard in cases involving victims younger than
10, said Elton Grau, a deputy district attorney in the child
abuse/sexual assault unit of the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office.
Early last week, the girl's mother reported to
Tracy police that her daughter said the pastor made her perform sexual
acts in his vehicle.
Tracy police said the alleged abuse happened on various occasions in May, including incidents
when Rickman provided the girl with rides home. Rickman was arrested three days after the report.
A few supporters turned out for his arraignment Monday, including Greg Bowser, a pastor
at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Tracy.
Bowser believes the girl may have been coached by her parents to make false
accusations, possibly because her parents were upset about decisions
Rickman made regarding the church's finances.
"I've been a pastor for years," Bowser said. "This is not uncommon."
In Tracy, Rickman is the founding pastor of Fresh Anointing Faith
International Christian Church, a group of more than 100 people that
meets at American Legion Post 172. Rickman also is a chaplain at the
American Legion post and at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1537. The
position is part time. He also is a private investigator.
"He has done some amazing contributions to the community," Bowser said.
But Tracy police spokesman Sgt. Tony Sheneman said the family's claims are not made up.
"The investigation has proven otherwise," he said.
Sheneman said during interviews the child provided specific details that led investigators to believe she was telling the truth.
Investigators believe there may be other victims who haven't come forward.
"As far as other cases, in general, it is unlikely that she is his first victim," Sheneman said.
Rickman is scheduled for further arraignment July 5.

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110628/A_NEWS/106280311


Poster's Note: Tracy CA is the same community from which Sandra Cantu was abducted and murdered