Catholic parish priest charged with child molestation in California
Fr. Jaime Arriaga , assigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Downey, has been charged with child molestation. Photo from olphdowney.com
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Wednesday asked members of the public to come forward if they have any information regarding a Downey parish priest who is facing child molestation charges.
Father Jaime Arriaga, 41, pleaded not guilty Monday to six felony counts, including assault with intent to commit a felony and five counts of lewd act on a child of 14 or 15 by a person at least 10 years older, according to court records.
Arriaga, who was assigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Downey, was arrested April 3 by sheriff’s deputies and remains in the Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail on no bail, according to court records.
According to the LASD, he was also assigned to Saint Louis of France Catholic Church in La Puente prior to his time in Downey.
“The Archdiocese has a long-standing commitment to the protection of minors and reporting the prevention of abuse,” an Archdiocese representative said in a statement that also noted that officials reported the priest to authorities and removed him from ministry.
Last Thursday, detectives from the sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau investigated a report that a female minor had allegedly been sexually abused by the priest on March 22, according to a statement from the LASD.
Court records show other offenses allegedly occurred on Feb. 8 and Feb. 9.
Based on the nature of the alleged offenses, detectives believe there may be additional victims, the statement said.
Anyone with information regarding the case or who believes they may have been a victim is urged to contact SVB detectives.
Arriaga is due back in court in downtown Los Angeles on June 5, when date will be set for a preliminary hearing.
“Allegations of misconduct against anyone serving in the Archdiocese are reported to law enforcement, fully investigated and, under the Zero-Tolerance Policy, anyone who is found to have harmed a minor is permanently removed from any capacity in the Archdiocese,” according to the Archdiocese spokesperson. “We offer our prayers for everyone impacted by this matter.” (CNS)
