The 28-year-old Hollister man accused of lewd acts with four
minors on church grounds pleaded not guilty at an arraignment
Thursday while his attorney continues talks with the prosecution
over a possible plea deal, Deputy District Attorney Karen Forcum
said.
The 28-year-old Hollister man accused of lewd acts and other charges with four minors on church grounds pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Thursday while his attorney continues talks with the prosecution over a possible plea deal, Deputy District Attorney Karen Forcum said.
Ruben J. Matuk, of Hollister, is accused of 14 felony and misdemeanor counts alleging lewd and lascivious acts, molesting, indecent exposure and sexual battery, according to records. Investigators allege the crimes occurred at the Apostolic Full Gospel Church of Christ, 1515 Santa Ana Road, and also at Matuk’s residence adjacent to the church address. Matuk’s father is the church pastor.
Matuk pleaded not guilty at the courthouse this week to the information in the complaint. His next scheduled court appearance is April 15 for a trial setting.
In February, Matuk waived the right for a preliminary hearing at which a judge would have decided if there was enough evidence for a trial. Matuk’s attorney Elvira Zaragoza Robinson said the two sides waived the preliminary hearing to prevent having the suspected victims testify.
Forcum said she had not anticipated a plea deal getting reached by Thursday’s hearing because “his attorney needed more time.”
The allegations first filed Nov. 17 accused Matuk of lewd acts and indecent exposure with two girls, ages 12 and 15 at the time, along with sexual battery to one of them. Prosecutors had alleged the crimes started in September 2003 and occurred into September of this year. The district attorney’s office then filed an amended complaint Dec. 8 that included two more suspected victims.
The amended complaint alleged Matuk in May 2002 and May 2004 committed felony oral copulation of a person under 18 to a Jane Doe 3, while the suspected victim was age 14 at the time, according to court records. It further alleges in August 2009 he committed annoying or molesting a child, a misdemeanor, to a fourth suspected victim who was age 14 at the time, according to court records.
Judge Steven Sanders has issued four protective orders – the most recent Dec. 24 – barring Matuk from making contact with the suspected victims and requiring him to stay at least 100 yards away from them.
Matuk remains free from custody and was released from the San Benito County Jail on Nov. 23 after posting bail, which had been set at $100,000, according to court records.
