Purported spiritual healer arrested on rape charge
Jul 9, 2005 By
Hollister - After arresting a man purporting to be a spiritual healer for the rape of one woman and sexual assault of another, police believe there could be more victims. They are asking anyone who has been a client of the suspect, Alvaro Salgado, 36, to come forward with information about his activities.
Salgado told police he had been working as a spiritual healer at the "Centro Mundial Botanico," located at 910 Monterey Street, for about a month, before his arrest Thursday morning, according to Hollister Police Sgt. Carlos Reynoso.
Salgado, a Colombian native, specialized in curing bad luck, dispelling curses, making people lucky in love and curing other ailments, Reynoso said.
Police believe he used his position to lure women into his office, where he allegedly sexually assaulted one and raped another, Reynoso said.
On June 9, a 31-year-old Hollister woman reported that Salgado touched her inappropriately in a sexual manner during a session, Reynoso said. There was no physical penetration because the woman was able to stop Salgado before it escalated to that stage, but she reported the assault that day and police arrested Salgado for sexual battery, he said.
He was released on bail after being booked into the San Benito County Jail for the charge, Reynoso said.
Two weeks later, another Hollister women in her 40s reported that Salgado forcibly raped her at his place of business. Reynoso arrested Salgado on the new rape charge as he was entering the San Benito County Courthouse to appear on the sexual battery charge Thursday morning, he said.
Reynoso said the woman came forward when she learned Salgado was accused of sexually assaulting another woman.
"It happens a lot with victims of sex crimes," Reynoso said. "It takes time to get the courage to come forward."
Reynoso would not comment whether the woman who claimed she was raped was assaulted before the first victim came forward or after, or provide any further details about the alleged assault.
Based on the two complaints, police believe there could be more people who may have been assaulted by Salgado.
"We're hoping there's no other victims, but the possibility still remains high that there are," Reynoso said. "We're asking anyone who's been a client to contact us."
Although Reynoso had limited information on Salgado's operation, he said one of the victims stated Salgado charged her $600 for a series of consultations. Reynoso could not confirm whether that amount of money ever changed hands.
Because the center where Salgado based his operation markets to Hispanic citizens and frequently has half-hour long paid informercials on a local Spanish-language radio station, Reynoso said it is probable that Salgado serviced only the Hispanic community. Salgado, who also uses the name "Angel," only speaks Spanish with a heavy Colombian accent, Reynoso said.
The police department stressed that immigration status is not a factor when reporting a crime.
Salgado remains in custody without bail at the San Benito County Jail on five felony charges, including rape by force, sexual battery involving a restrained person, sexual penetration with a foreign object and false imprisonment, according to jail personnel.
Anyone who has been a client of Salgado's in the past is asked the contact either Detective Tony Lamonica or the Watch Commander at the Hollister Police Department at (831) 636-4330.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or emusgrave@freelancenews.com
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