By Melissa Pinion-Whitt
The Sun
October 26, 2010
http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_16432745
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| The Rev. Jose Alejandro Castillo, who served at Our Lady of Guadalupe... (Ontario Police Department) |
Prosecutors on Monday charged an Ontario Catholic priest with molesting a 12-year-old boy, and police say he had at least four other victims.
The Rev. Jose Alejandro Castillo, also known as Father Alex, was arrested at his home in the 600 block of W. Zenia Court. He was booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga in lieu of $1 million bail.
Ontario police had been investigating the case since July 21. They confirmed 57-year-old Castillo committed eight sex acts with the boy.
Castillo worked as a priest the past seven years at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Ontario.
News of the investigation prompted parishioners to write letters to the Diocese of San Bernardino in support of Castillo. Castillo has denied the allegations.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office issued an arrest warrant for Castillo on Monday, charging him with seven felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger than 14-years-old. He was charged with an additional count of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a child, police said.
Police say he could face as much as 22 years in prison.
Investigators are also investigating allegations that Castillo committed sex acts with a 14-year-old boy while serving at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
Officers say a 16-year-old boy was identified as a victim, but charges won't be filed due to the statute of limitations on the crime.
Two other people claimed to be victimized by Castillo, but they were older than 18-years-old at the time and Castillo won't be charged in those cases either.
Police are concerned there are more victims. Anyone with information about the case or may have been victimized by Castillo may call Detective Mark Guski, 909-395-2726.
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