CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina priest who served within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston has been charged with federal sex crimes stemming from allegations that he abused an 11-year-old baby.
Jaime Adolfo Gonzalez-Farias, recognized in church as “Father Gonzalez,” was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in Miami on Nov. 29, in accordance with courtroom data. A just lately unsealed indictment reveals Gonzalez-Farias, 68, was charged with aggravated sexual abuse of youngsters, coercion of a minor and transportation of a minor with intent to interact in legal sexual exercise.
Between Nov. 8 and Nov. 12, 2020, Gonzalez-Farias is accused of taking an 11-year-old baby to Florida and fascinating within the “intentional touching, not through the clothing, of (the victim’s) genitalia,” in accordance with the indictment.
In an announcement supplied to The State, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston mentioned they first turned conscious of an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor involving Gonzalez-Farias in Dec. 2020 after he had left the nation for his residence in Chile. The diocese mentioned it notified his parishioners concerning the abuse allegation in Jan. 2021.
Gonzalez-Farias, was ordained as priest in September 1990. On April 20, 2015, he was transferred to South Carolina as a visiting priest. While in South Carolina, Gonzalez-Farias served in “various parishes and ministries,” in accordance with the indictment. The diocese mentioned his file didn’t increase any pink flags earlier than he was transferred.
“At that time, diocesan officials received a clear background check on him. (Gonzalez-Farias) then completed the Diocese’s Safe Environment training. In accordance with diocesan policy, he was rescreened in July 2020; no criminal activity was noted on that report,” the diocese mentioned in its assertion.
In August 2021, Gonzalez-Farias was included on the diocese’s checklist of “Visiting Priests with a Credible Allegations of Child Sexual Misconduct or Abuse within the Diocese of Charleston,” The State reported. At the time, the diocese mentioned it believed he had returned to Chile.
The diocese mentioned the checklist was primarily based on “allegations received by the Diocese and a review of priest personnel files.”
Gonzalez-Farias is being returned to South Carolina to face the federal fees. Court data didn’t point out whether or not he has been assigned an legal professional within the state.