Fairfield pastor arrested for suspected multiple child molestations

A well-known pastor at a Fairfield church has been arrested amid a host of molestation allegations spanning as far back as 1994, police announced Friday.

Suisun City resident Rev. Robert “Silas” Ruark was taken into custody around 9:45 p.m. Thursday after Fairfield police officers served an arrest warrant at his home in the 1400 block of Spence Court, authorities reported.

At this point in the investigation, six alleged victims of the 65-year-old priest, known by many at St. Timothy Orthodox Church as “Father Silas,” have come forward, however, Fairfield Lt. Greg Hurlbut said police believe there could be others.

The investigation into Ruark began after members of the diocese contacted the Fairfield Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit when they learned of the alleged molestations, authorities said. The diocese provided police with the names of those believed to have been molested by Ruark.

Detectives worked throughout the day as they interviewed alleged victims, all now adults ranging in age from 20 to 24, and witnesses as they began piecing the case together, along with the help of the Solano County District Attorney’s Office.

The victims identified Ruark, accusing him of committing lewd acts on them when they were as young as 13, and in some instances photographing them while naked, police said. The victims told detectives most of the molestations took place both at the church, located at 4953 Central Way, Cordelia, when they were left alone with Ruark, and other times at his home, where Hurlbut said there were allegedly sleepovers on occassion.

“Our biggest thing right now is just trying to identify other potential victims,” Hurlbut said.

Before joining the church, Ruark spent 22 years in the U.S. Army criminal investigation unit, Hurlbut said, followed by a stint as chief investigator for Solano County Health and Social Services.

A former evangelical Protestant volunteering with Prison Fellowship Ministries at California Medical Facility in Vacaville, Ruark began a three-year program at St. Stephen’s School of Orthodox Philosophy in 1994 and was ordained as a priest on Nov. 17, 1997, according to an interview he gave The Reporter upon the church’s 10th anniversary in 2004.

Ruark was arrested without incident and a search warrant was executed at his residence Thursday night and at St. Timothy on Friday morning for evidence related to the allegations. During the searches, Hurlbut said detectives confiscated electronic items such as cameras and computers that could contain further evidence, but noted it would likely take a week for the investigation’s forensic results.

Ruark was interviewed by detectives and later booked into Solano County Jail on 19 counts related to the molestations, including one count of penetration with a foreign object and numerous counts of sexual battery, Hurlbut said.

Investigators are preparing the case for presentation at Ruark’s arraignment, which for 9 a.m. Monday in Solano County Superior Court, Hurlbut said.

Authorities are still trying to identify possible victims in the case, and urge anyone with information to contact the Fairfield Police Department Investigations Bureau at 428-7600, or the 24-hour tip line at 428-7345.