Press-Enterprise
January 4, 2010
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_webbishop.2387a7e.html
California -- A bishop pleaded guilty Monday to five charges of possessing drugs at his Home Gardens church.
Anthony Martinez Garduno entered his plea less than a week after his arrest on charges of possession of methamphetamine and intent to sell, as well as possession of the sedative drug Lorazepam, the date-rape drug GHB and a stolen semiautomatic pistol. Four of the five charges were felonies.
Garduno is a defrocked Roman Catholic priest who now heads Our Lady of Tepeyac Church, an Old Catholic denomination fellowship located between Corona and Riverside. It is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.
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Anthony Martinez Garduno
On Friday, Garduno had pleaded not guilty but he changed his plea Monday. He did not make a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Garduno could face up to four years and four months in prison when he is sentenced March 1.
His attorney declined to comment.
Garduno's arrest came three months after he was shot during an attempted robbery in September.
At the time, investigators believed the shooting was random. But they now say they believe the shooters knew Garduno had drugs and money at the church.
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Anthony Martinez Garduno |
Five men were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in the shooting. Monday, their trial was scheduled for March 8.
Last week, Riverside County sheriff's detectives served a search warrant at Garduno's church. They were investigating a man's report that Garduno molested him when he was 17. The man told authorities he knew of additional boys who said Garduno also sexually assaulted them.
Authorities said they found evidence that showed sexual assaults had occurred.
However, no sexual assault charges have been filed and the case remains under investigation.
Garduno is being held at Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside. Bail has been set at $250,000.
Reach John Asbury at 951-763-3451 or E-mail: jasbury@pe.com
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