Priest Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse Charge

KATU
April 1, 2013

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Priest-pleads-guilty-to-sexual-abuse-charge-200969271.html

Angel Armando Perez's mug shot after his arrest Monday, Aug. 13, 2012.

A Woodburn priest took a deal from prosecutors and pleaded guilty to a sex abuse charge on Monday.

Angel Armando Perez was accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy last August. Court documents said Perez invited the boy to spend the night at his house after a party. The boy told police Perez touched his genitals and took pictures using a cell phone.

Perez pleaded guilty to sexual abuse in the first degree, which is a Measure 11 crime. He was sentenced to more than 6 years in prison.

He also pleaded guilty to DUII and a charge of giving alcohol to a person under 21. He will service those sentences concurrently.

Perez was formerly the pastor at the St. Luke Parish in Woodburn.

“We ask that everyone keep the victim and his family in their prayers,” the Archdiocese of Portland said in a statement. “We also pray for healing and peace for the parishioners of the St. Luke Parish family.”

The archdiocese said they have been working for a decade to provide a safe environment for parishioners, including safety measures for clergy, teachers, adult volunteers and youth.

“The misconduct of even one person can teach that our vigilance must never been relaxed,” the statement said.