Roger Scalice, a pastor based in Chico, California, was arrested on Monday, Oct. 27, and charged with two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child. Scalice, 75, has pleaded not guilty, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3.
California Pastor With ‘Long Influence’ Arrested for Child Sex Abuse
Chico Police Department detectives arrested Scalice at his home. A press release from the Butte County District Attorney said, “Earlier this month, the Chico Police Department received a report that Scalice had inappropriately touched a minor child with whom he had access for over a year.”
“During the investigation,” said the release, “detectives obtained several conversations in which Scalice admitted to the conduct.”
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said that the charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child are “due to the nature of the conduct and the prolonged abuse.” Ramsey specifically noted Scalice’s “long influence as a pastor” as a reason why the investigation into whether Scalice has other victims is still ongoing.
Roger Scalice, a pastor based in Chico, California, was arrested on Monday, Oct. 27, and charged with two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child.Click to Post“Anyone with information related to either Scalice or the investigation is encouraged to contact the Chico Police Department Investigative Bureau at (530) 897-4900,” said the press release.
The California penal code defines “continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14” as:
1. three or more instances of sexual abuse,
2. by someone who lives in the same home or has recurring access to the child,
3. over a duration of three months or longer.
Scalice was reportedly affiliated with Butte Bible Fellowship of Chico. He is not currently on the church’s website, but an archived version of the church’s staff page identifies him as the pastor. His bio says:
Roger has served as a pastor for over 40 years. He graduated from USC with a degree in speech communication and went on to get a teaching credential. He taught in the public schools for five years. It was during the years teaching that he came to faith in Jesus Christ and within one year knew that the Lord was calling him into ministry.
He was trained within Calvary Chapel which is a strong Bible teaching movement. He has had the privilege of serving as a missionary in the Philippines planting a church in Metro Manila which is currently being pastored by one of the men that he discipled. He also pastored churches in Washington and California.
A judge has ordered Scalice to remain at the Butte County Jail and set his bail at $400,000. If convicted, he could spend up to 16 years in prison.
ChurchLeaders has reached out to Butte Bible Fellowship for comment and will update this article in the event of a reply.
