A Turlock man who had been serving as a volunteer at Sacred Heart Catholic Church was arrested last week on allegations of repeatedly sexually assaulting two boys.

Eduardo Arellano Sanchez, 34, is facing two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child. He is also being held at the Stanislaus County Jail on an immigration hold.

The criminal complaint lodged against Sanchez accuses him of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy from May 18, 2004 to Sept. 30, 2006, and a 12-year-old boy from June 1, 2009 to Jan. 1 of this year.

Sanchez had been a volunteer at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for the last five years. Sanchez volunteered in two Spanish language religious classes for youth and was a parishioner at the church, according to Stockton Diocese spokesperson Sister Terry Davis.

It’s unknown where or in what capacity Sanchez came in contact with the two victims, but it is not believed to have happened at the church.

“Our volunteers are never left alone with the children,” Davis said.

Sanchez made his first court appearance Monday for an arraignment. He did not have an attorney present and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Sanchez requested a public defender and was ordered to return to court Friday.

Sanchez remains in custody in lieu of a $500,000 bail.

The church has notified their parishioners of Sanchez’s arrest.

The Turlock Police Department is investigating the possibility of more victims and asks anyone with information about the case to contact Detective Cristina Magana at 668-5550 ext. 6627.