A man who operated a church on his Granite Springs Road property in Northern Mariposa County has been held to answer on charges of rape, sexual penetration by force or fear and false imprisonment. Roger Wayne Robertson, 68, was taken into custody after his preliminary hearing and subsequent bail increase on March 9.

Robertson, of Coulterville, was originally arrested on the charges on Oct. 15, 2009. He claims to be some kind of “faith healer” and had attracted a congregation of Hispanic followers from the Central Valley.

According to the sheriff’s report at the time of his arrest, Robertson had hired his victim to clean his home and his church. When she went to the remote area, she brought along her 22-year-old son, which apparently angered the pastor.

Robertson sent the son to work cleaning a cabin on the property, then locked the woman in the church and offered her sex. Sheriff Brian Muller said the pastor told the woman she could have anything she wanted if he could do anything he wanted.

The sheriff’ report indicates that Robertson pushed the victim to the floor near the church’s altar and sexually assaulted her.

The woman ran to the house, where Robertson attempted to push her to the floor again, but was unsuccessful. About that time, her son returned to the house. The pair left immediately.

The woman, who speaks little English, was not physically injured. Robertson will now stand trial for the crime.

This is not the first time Robertson faced this kind of charge. Investigators are looking into a 1975 case in Southern California where Robertson engaged in similar behavior.