A 57-year-old Ontario Catholic priest has been arrested on charges of molesting a 12-year-old boy, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reported. The priest, the Rev. Jose Alejandro Castillo, a.k.a., Father Alex, was booked into the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga in lieu of $1 million bail. Prior to his arrest, Castillo worked as a priest at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Ontario.
Castillo denies the allegations - seven felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger than 14 years old. Police say he could face as many as 22 years in prison. Police say Castillo had at least four other victims, including a 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy. Police are still investigating and are concerned there may be more victims. Anyone with information about the case or may have been victimized by Castillo may call Detective Mark Guski, 909-395-2726.
Clergy Sexual Abuse Civil Claims
Incidents such as this one are disturbing and shocking, and cause long term emotional and psychological injury. Dioceses around the country have paid out hundreds of millions to victims of sexual abuse in Catholic churches. Victims of priest abuse are encouraged to report the abuse and contact a caring and understand California sex abuse attorney to help them explore their legal options to recover the compensation they are entitled to. Compensation can help survivors of clergy abuse receive the mental, emotional, and psychological care they need to move forward.
Sources: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Los Angeles Times
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