DALLAS (TX)
Bradenton Herald
Associated Press
DALLAS - A former priest was convicted Thursday of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old former parishioner who said he was too drunk following a wedding party to defend himself.
John A. Salazar, who was already a convicted sex offender, faces up to life in prison after jurors found him guilty after five hours of deliberation. His sentencing hearing was scheduled to begin Wednesday.
Beau Villegas testified that Salazar, the former reverend at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Tulia, assaulted him in the priest's hotel room in suburban Dallas after a wedding in 2003. Villegas, of Amarillo, said Salazar had offered to take care of him after he drank 10 beers and at least three mixed drinks.