Priest Charged with Kissing Teen No Longer in Custody

The Appeal-Democrat
March 28, 2013

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/kissing-124234-charged-bail.html

A Catholic priest charged with kissing a Yuba City teenager posted bail earlier this week and was released from custody following a hearing on his immigration status in Sacramento County.

The Rev. Julio Cesar Guarin-Sosa posted a bail bond on Wednesday, the Sutter County District Attorney's Office confirmed. The bail amount was not available.

Prosecutors also confirmed they are moving ahead with the case against the Colombian priest.

Guarin-Sosa, 43, is accused of kissing a 16-year-old Yuba City girl on March 8 at the girl's home.

He pleaded not guilty on March 15 in Sutter County Superior Court to a felony false imprisonment charge and misdemeanor counts of sexual battery and annoying or molesting a minor.

Guarin-Sosa was celebrating Mass at the girl's home when, according to defense attorney Markus Dombois, the priest was asked to console the "distraught" teenager. They were alone in the girl's bedroom when the alleged incident occurred.

Dombois has said his client did nothing wrong and called the case a "cultural misunderstanding" and a "witch hunt."

Prosecutors have said Guarin-Sosa "knew something he'd done was wrong" when he apologized and asked the girl to keep the incident secret during a subsequent recorded telephone conversation. Guarin-Sosa is scheduled to appear again April 26 in Sutter County Superior Court.