Pastoral associate at Indianapolis Catholic church arrested on child molestation charges

By Amanda Rakes
Fox 59
July 28, 2015

http://fox59.com/2015/07/28/pastoral-associate-at-indianapolis-catholic-church-arrested-on-child-molestation-charges/

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (July 28, 2015)—A man who served as a religious education director at an Indianapolis Catholic church was arrested on several child molestation charges.

Oscar Vasquez-Guzman, 38, was charged Tuesday with two counts of child molesting, seven counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and one count of attempted sexual misconduct with a minor.

According to court documents, Vasquez-Guzman is accused of molesting two boys. The incidents allegedly occurred between Sept. 10, 2013, and July 20, 2015.

“I always saw young boys in his yard. I’m not surprised,” said = Vasquez-Guzman’s neighbor.

“He was friendly and a nice guy. I didn’t think anything about him,” said another neighbor.

Vasquez-Guzman told investigators he was a religious education director at St. Anthony Catholic Church, which is located on the west side of Indianapolis.

Graphic court documents released detail accounts of two underage boys who said they were molested by Vasquez-Guzman. One said it started at age 14 and continued past his 15th birthday, occurring many times at the suspect’s house. The victim told police Vasquez-Guzman first invited him to his house after seeing him playing at a park across the street from the church.

Another boy told investigators an incident happened eight days ago, on July 20th. It was later that night when police were notified.

According to online court records, a no-contact order has been issued in the case, and the judge set bond at $100,000.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis issued the following statement:

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has been informed that Mr. Oscar Vasquez, an employee of St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis, was arrested by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and was charged with child molestation on July 27, 2015. Mr. Vasquez worked at the parish as a pastoral associate. The pastor informed people at all the Masses last weekend at St. Anthony Church about Mr. Vasquez’ arrest, and letters are being mailed to parishioners’ homes in both English and Spanish.

Mr. Vasquez has worked at St. Anthony Parish since October of 2012. As an employee of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Mr. Vasquez has completed the archdiocese’s child safety program and has undergone regular criminal background checks by the archdiocese. The archdiocese has never had any complaints or allegations made concerning Mr. Vasquez’s conduct at the parish. The archdiocese is cooperating with authorities.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is committed to ensuring the safety of all children in its care and enforcing its policies and practices regarding the safety of children. If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual misconduct by a person ministering on behalf of the archdiocese, please contact law enforcement authorities and the archdiocesan victim assistance coordinator, Carla Hill, Archdiocese of Indianapolis, 1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. You do not have to give your name. Mrs. Hill can also be reached at 317-236-1548 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1548 or by email at chill@archindy.org. The Archdiocese also maintains a misconduct reporting system that is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week through Ethicspoint, and reports can be made at www.archdioceseofindianapolis.ethicspoint.com.

More information about the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ sexual misconduct policy and information about how to report an abuse incident can be found on-line at www.archindy.org/abuse.