Priest on Immigration Hold after Molestation Charges

By Ross Farrow
Lodi News-Sentinel
March 22, 2013

http://www.lodinews.com/news/article_0a22c4e3-66af-5f19-aefc-53b2a7e9ce92.html

A visiting Catholic priest from Colombia remains in custody on an immigration hold after he was arrested on sexual battery charges.

Julio Cesar Guarin-Sosa, 43, who was visiting Lodi's St. Anne's Catholic Church while filling in for his vacationing brother, Father Mario Guarin, was arrested in Yuba City on March 10 after he was accused of having illegal sexual contact with a 16-year-old girl at a residence where Guarin-Sosa was performing Mass.

Guarin-Sosa is charged with a felony count of false imprisonment and misdemeanor counts of annoying or molesting a minor and sexual battery in connection with a March 8 incident in Yuba City, according to the Appeal-Democrat newspaper, based in Marysville.

Sutter County Deputy District Attorney Jacquelyn Stenson told the News-Sentinel on Thursday that she wouldn't discuss any aspects of the case.

The Stockton Diocese, where St. Anne's is located, removed Guarin-Sosa from any duties as a priest as soon as he was arrested.

Guarin-Sosa remained in custody at Sutter County Jail without bail on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold alleging illegal entry, the Appeal-Democrat reported.

A preliminary hearing has been set for April 26 in Sutter County Superior Court in Yuba City.