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Diocese of Stockton

Childhood sexual abuse survivors deserve justice. If you or someone you love has been abused in the Diocese of Stockton, please contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

List of Accused Priests in the Diocese of Stockton

There are priests in the Diocese of Stockton who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse. These priests are listed below. The list came from a number of different sources, and while not every allegation was investigated, these are the individuals who have been accused of abuse within that Diocese.

Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse

The Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal has touched nearly every part of the globe today. Unfortunately, as is the case in the Diocese of Stockton, many of the allegations of abuse came to light too late to be investigated by the authorities.

California’s previous statute of limitations laws prevented some adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse from having their cases investigated because they didn’t come forward earlier, and as a result, some of the priests on this list have allegations against them that have never been looked into by authorities.

There may even be other priests who are not on this list because survivors have yet to come forward with allegations against him.

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If you know someone who was abused by a priest, we can help. Contact our childhood sexual abuse attorneys today.

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Stockton Diocese Sexual Abuse

Childhood sexual abuse survivors deserve justice. If you or someone you love has been abused in the Diocese of Stockton or in another diocese in California, please contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

Father Francis Arakal

  • Status: Sued
  • D/O: Carmelite

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Born in India; came to U.S. in 1998. Placed on leave 4/02; reinstated 7/02. Woman filed suit 9/02 claiming Arakal had touched her 13-yr-old daughter on her breasts in a sexual manner in 2001. Also accused of touching the breasts and pelvic area of younger daughter. One girl told another priest who told Arakal; both men confronted the girl. Jury cleared Arakal of sexual battery but awarded family $20K for way the 2 priests responded. In 2009 was parochial vicar at St. Bernard in Tracy, CA.

Father Antonio Camacho

  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Extern priest from Mexico working in Stockton Diocese and in in Oakland diocese. Accused of abuse of 2 high school boys at St. Stanislaus in Modesto between 1/11/82 - 02/17/84. He was briefly at St. Anthony Parish in Hughson 12/81 - 1/82. He was removed from position and returned to Mexico at request of (then) Bishop Mahony of Stockton. Named in Cardinal Mahoney's 2004 deposition and a memo from Bishop of Stockton to police. Name is included on list of claimed abusers attached to Stockton Diocese's 5/9/14 filing in bankruptcy court.

Brother Didacus (Didachus) Clavell

  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: O.F.M.

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Correct spelling of first name is believed to be Didacus. Assigned to St. Mary's High School in approximately 1964. Name first publicly shown on list of claimed abusers attached to Stockton Diocese's 5/9/14 filing in bankruptcy court. Still active as of 2012-2013. On Santa Barbara Province Franciscans list 5/31/19. It notes "substantial contrary evidence; unable to corroborate allegation."

Father Murty M. Fahy

  • Ordained: 1958
  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Associate pastor at St. Anne's Church, Lodi 8/85-3/01. Also teacher at St. Mary High School 1970-1985. Accused in 2006 of abuse of a girl in mid-990s at his church's elementary school. Police conducted investigation but were unable to substantiate the allegations. Diocese officials still investigating as of 01/07. Civil suit filed 12/06 by a woman alleging abuse age 5-11. Plaintiff dismissed suit 11/07. Fahy died 3/2/01. Name included on list of claimed abusers attached to Stockton Diocese's 5/9/14 filing in bankruptcy court.

Father Julio Cesar Guarin-Sosa

  • Status: Not Guilty
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Visiting priest from Colombia with his Bishop's ok. Worked at St. Anne Church in Lodi, CA. while his brother (parish priest) was on vacation. Arrested 3/13 on charges of molestation of a minor (kissing a 16 yr old girl), sexual battery and illegal entry.Reportedly, he was in town to perform a private Mass for the girl's family. Removed without privileges by Stockton Bishop. Finally released on bail 3/28/13. Felony charges dropped 6/13. Found not guilty by jury of misdemeanor charges 10/11/13.

Father Michael E. Kelly

  • Ordained: 1973
  • Status: Indicted
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

From Ireland. Removed 10/07 after claim he molested 10-yr-old boy in 1984. Denied allegations; reportedly passed polygraph. Reinstated 3/08; claimant wouldn't cooperate. Suit filed 3/27/08. New allegations by 2nd youth in 2011 re 2000-02 abuse. Stayed active. Civil Jury found him liable for abuse 4/6/12. Privileges removed. Trial resumed re Diocese. Fled to Ireland 4/12 after warrant issued for arrest. DA sought extradition; dropped charges 2016 after death of 26-yr-old accuser. Diocese settled suit 4/20/12 for $3.75M. New suits filed 9/12 & 11/12. He denied both. New indictments 1/14/14. Name included on list of claimed abusers attached to Stockton Diocese's 5/9/14 filing in bankruptcy court. Still wanted in 1/17 by US Attorney for Eastern District of CA for unlawful flight. May have been arrested by federal authorities in Morocco.

Father Editho Mascardo

  • Ordained: 1983
  • Status: Reinstated
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Report made to Stockton police in 2001 of inappropriate conduct by Mascardo toward minor; no charges filed. Claim resurfaced in 7/15. Placed on leave, diocese investigated. In 5/16, review board told bishop it "did not determine sexual abuse occurred." Return to ministry as hospital chaplain in Modesto announced 12/16. Among previous assignments: St. George's, Stockton 1996-99; St. Mary of Assumption 1999-2006; St. Anthony's, Hughson 2006-11; then St. Patrick's, Sonora and in res. at Holy Family, Modesto until 7/15 removal.

Father Antonio Munoz

  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

According to Cardinal Mahony's 2004 deposition, he removed Munoz, a visiting priest from Mexico, after parents met with him and alleged that Munoz sexually abused several high school students during a 1981 trip he organized to Tijuana. When Mahony testified in the 1998 O'Grady trial, he had stated that O'Grady was the only accused priest with whom he dealt in Stockton.

Father Oliver Francis O'Grady

  • Ordained: 1971
  • Status: Convicted
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

From Ireland. Worked in CA for many years. Convicted 1993 in CA. Received 14-year sentence--served 7; deported to Ireland 2000. $7M settlement, among others. Admitted to sexual abuse of 25 boys and girls. Laicized. Fled Ireland 10/06; Suit filed 12/06. Irish Archdiocese settled 12/06 for $3M. New suit 12/07 by woman. Worked in Netherlands; returned to Ireland per 4/10 article. Diocese paid $2M 6/10 to 2. New suit 10/10. Arrested for child porn in Ireland 12/10. Sentenced to 3 years jail in 1/12. New suit 5/12. Four suits dismissed on SOL 6/12. Released from Irish jail 4/14, living unsupervised. Name included on list of claimed abusers attached to Stockton Diocese's 5/9/14 filing in bankruptcy court. Wanted by Irish authorities for child porn; arrested in Portugal in 10/19.

Father Oscar (Oskar) Pelaez

  • Ordained: 1994
  • Status: Convicted
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Extern priest from Columbia. Had been in Diocese since ordination. Accused of abuse of 1 boy for 3 yrs. Arrested early 2002 and pleaded guilty. Sentenced to 6 yrs prison. Released on parole after 3. Diocese paid $1M settlement after conviction. Name included on list of claimed abusers attached to Stockton Diocese's 5/9/14 filing in bankruptcy court.

Father Eduardo Perez Torrez

  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Full name Eduardo De Jesus Preez Torrez. From the Diocese of Palmira, Colombia. Worked in Stockton diocese 1999-2014. Per 2/08/18 news reports, the Modesto CA Police Dept received a report that Perez sexually abused a 15-yr-old girl in 1999. Perez was assigned to St. Stanislaus in Modesto 12/99-4/04. From there worked at parishes in Oakdale, Stockton and Riverbank. The diocesan review board was investigating.

Father Leo Suarez

  • Ordained: 1988
  • Status: Accused
  • D/O: Diocesan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

Diocese announced 1/10 that Suarez, a native of Mexico, was permanently removed in 2009 after he admitted that he had abused a minor girl during his initial assignment as assoc. pastor at St. Anthony's in Hughson. He left there in 1991. After his removal, Suarez was sent for treatment. Diocese says this was first allegation against him. Police report filed 9/09. No criminal investigation due to SOL. Diocese settled for $300K with one person 9/10. Name included on list of claimed abusers attached to Stockton Diocese's 5/9/14 filing in bankruptcy court.

Father Ferdinand (Fernando) Villalobos

  • Status: Sued
  • D/O: OFM Franciscan

Sexual Abuse Allegation Notes:

A 2/03 civil RICO suit alleged that Villalobos abused a boy, ages of 12-15 in 1980-83, while at at St. Mary's in Stockton, and that then-Bishop Mahony and other diocese officials covered it up. Another suit filed 11/03 alleged abuse at the same parish. Shortly before died 12/31/85, Villalobos also allegedly attempted to abuse the plaintiff's brother. [Note: this may be two suits by same plaintiff.] Name included on list of claimed abusers attached to Stockton Diocese's 5/9/14 filing in bankruptcy court. On the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans list 5/31/19, noting allegations received 2004, 2014 and 2018 of abuse 1979-83. Suit filed in 12/19 claiming abuse of a boy, age 16, in 1979.

DISCLAIMER: The individuals on this list have allegations of sexual abuse against them. Under U.S. law, an allegation, however, does not define guilt. Instead, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty during legal proceedings, whether criminal or civil. These list entries do not imply the individual on the list is criminally guilty or legally liable for civil claims of damage caused by sexual abuse. Instead, it represents those who have been publicly accused of abuse.

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