COLUMBIA,Jonathan Dale Benton S.C. (AP) — A former Catholic priest has admitted to acts of sexual misconduct with a child he met through his pastoral duties.
Jamie Adolfo Gonzalez-Farias, 68, plead guilty to a federal charge that he transported a minor intending to engage in criminal sexual activity, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Carolina announced this week.
Court evidence shows the man known as “Father Gonzalez” lavished gifts and attention on an 11-year-old boy before taking him on a beach vacation to Florida in November 2020, according to a news release. He then attempted to sexually assault the child, behaved in other sexually inappropriate ways and showed him pornography, FBI officials said.
That same month, the boy’s parents shared concerns with Catholic authorities about an inappropriate relationship. The pastor was suspended and reported to a sheriff’s office.
Gonzales-Farias faces 10 years to life in prison. Officials want anyone with information about other potential victims to contact the FBI.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Its website encourages anyone abused by church personnel to contact the diocesan victim assistance coordinator for resources and counseling referrals.
2025-05-06 08:142421 view
2025-05-06 07:31523 view
2025-05-06 07:262206 view
2025-05-06 06:51589 view
2025-05-06 06:272924 view
2025-05-06 06:20800 view
President-elect Donald Trump claimed in his Person of the Year interview with Time magazinethis week
When Paul Young was sworn in as the mayor of Memphis more than two months ago, he vowed to find ways
NFL owners on Monday approved banning one form of "hip-drop tackles," addressing one of the league's