Bail Remains at $1M for Pastor Accused of Sex With Minor

A bail review hearing for a pastor accused of carrying on a sexual relationship with a minor Murrieta girl was pushed back today.

Matthias Anderson, 41, of Hemet, is being held on $1 million bail after his by Murrieta police investigators near the underage victim's home.

He appeared at the Southwest Justice Center in a red jail outfit, where he talked with his attorney. Anderson's wife and son were present, and he was removed from the courtroom after someone who may have been related to the victim complained he was communicating with his family, which is forbidden in the courtroom.

was seeking a bail reduction. He needs more time to prepare his defense, court records stated.

Judge Angel Bermudez delayed any change to the bail amount "due to ongoing investigation." The bail review hearing was reset for Dec. 16, according to John Hall, spokesperson for the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.

on a child younger than 14, seven counts of unlawful sexual intercourse and one count each of sexual penetration with a foreign object and oral copulation of a minor.

Murrieta police allege Anderson, who is a retired Marine sergeant and founded and pastored Oceanside church New Wine Ministries International, carried on a two-year sexual relationship with the girl.

The alleged acts were brought to the attention of Murrieta police by the girl and her mother, according to court documents.

A preliminary hearing in the case was set for Jan. 3.

The bail was set at $1 million because Anderson if caught, records state.