313: 5 Victims, 11 Felony Counts | Former North Valley Baptist Church Member Arrested

Preacher Boys Podcast

On November 13, 2020, I shared an episode of the Preacher Boys Podcast featuring Bruce Kennedy discussing his experiences at North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, CA.

On the episode, we discussed several scandals relating to this particular ministry, and one in particular was that of Norlan Macias - a former member of North Valley Baptist Church.

Today, almost 4 years later, Macias has been arrested.

The following is a statement from the County of Santa Clara:

For release on July 11, 2024

CONTACT:

Joanna Lee

Deputy District Attorney

Sexual Assault Unit

[phone]

[e-mail]

South Bay janitor charged with felony molestation

A South Bay man has been charged with sexually molesting teenaged children during church trips at his house on a Morgan Hill lake.

The case against 54-year-old Norlan Macias, of San Jose, was launched several years ago when a retired police officer heard a man describing a molestation on a podcast called, “Preacher Boys.”

Macias is charged with molestations that happened during a period that lasted longer than a decade, between 2001-2012.

Police and prosecutors are seeking others who may have been victims of the South Bay man, who was a janitor at the Campbell Union and Mountain View school districts.

Macias faces 11 counts of felony sexual molestation of five minors, ranging from 8 to 17. He will be arraigned this afternoon at 1:30 in department 23 in the Hall of Justice in San Jose. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

“I would like to thank the retired police officer for his diligence and dedication,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. “As with many officers, his mission of protecting our community’s children never stopped. I hope all of us take that same responsibility.”

The case against Macias began in 2020, when a retired San Jose Police Officer recognized Macias from the video podcast, which documents child abuse associated with religious institutions. He called 911.

The defendant used to take a group of teenage parishioners of the North Valley Baptist Church out on a boat at Lake Anderson in Morgan Hill. The boys would then go to the defendant's house in Morgan Hill, where the molestations took place.

While investigating this case, a detective stumbled on a 2013 report by a minor who said that he, too, was molested by Macias. He stated that the defendant lived near him and that he molested him after hiring him to do work on his home. After the initial statement, that case was closed due to lack of victim cooperation.

If anyone has any information about the suspect and molestation, they should contact Deputy District Attorney Joanna Lee at [e-mail].

MY STATEMENT:

I've been a public advocate against clergy abuse for nearly four and a half years. It can often feel discouraging and frustrating when no one with power seems to be listening and pushing for real change. I've talked with many victims who have expressed the same sentiment.

Today is a reminder of the importance of not remaining silent. It is a reminder that our voices hold power. I'm thankful for the bravery of Bruce Kennedy in sharing his experiences with Norlan Macias and at North Valley Baptist Church on my podcast in 2020. I'm also thankful for the law enforcement officer who heard this message and decided to look into the case. They are both heroes.

It is my hope this story encourages survivors in similar high-control religious groups to find their voices and speak out, so justice can continue to be carried out.

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If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, visit courage365.org/need-help

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