EDINBURG — An Alton pastor was arrested Wednesday after a woman reported that he sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious.
EDINBURG — An Alton pastor was arrested Wednesday after a woman reported that he sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious.
Melquisedec Chan, 52, was arraigned Thursday on aggravated sexual assault and practicing medicine in violation of a subtitle (license) charges.
Chan and his wife, who live in Mission, founded Vida Abundante church nearly two decades ago, according to its website, which describes him as a surgeon in Mexico. He is not licensed, however, by the Texas Medical Board, and thus unable to legally practice medicine in Texas.
Vida Abundante could not be reached for comment.
Chan’s arrest Wednesday came after a woman reported to police that he allegedly sedated and then sexually assaulted her, according to an Edinburg Police Department news release.
“The victim reported Melquisedec Chan treated her at an Edinburg residence for an illness in which he reportedly injected her with an unknown substance that rendered her unconscious,” the release states.
As of this report, Chan remains in the Hidalgo County jail. His bond was set at $750,000.
Investigators believe Chan may have committed this type of crime before and are asking anyone else who believe they may be a victim to file a report with their local police department.
