Pastoral Associate on Unpaid Leave Following Child Molest Charges

By Justin L. Mack
Indianapolis Star
July 30, 2015

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2015/07/30/pastoral-associate-unpaid-leave-following-child-molest-charges/30905781/

Vasquez-Guzman

As long as police are investigating accusations of child molestation against St. Anthony’s pastoral associate Oscar Vasquez-Guzman, he will not be paid by or permitted at the church.

If found guilty, he will be terminated immediately, church officials say.

Oscar Vasquez-Guzman, 38, Indianapolis, 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.

He is accused of having sexual contact with two boys from the church between Sept. 10, 2013, and July 20, 2015. The boys were ages 11 to 15 at the time.

Vasquez-Guzman, who church officials say began working at St. Anthony Catholic Church in October 2012 after a criminal background check, was placed on unpaid administrative leave July 24 when officials from The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis were notified of his arrest. He was arrested the day before.

The archdiocese said in an email that the church spent weekend Masses on Saturday and Sunday informing parishioners. On Tuesday, the church sent letters explaining the situation to parishioners and to any place where Vasquez-Guzman may have served or volunteered.

“We were deeply saddened by this news and ask for your prayers for all of the individuals and families involved,” the letters say. “We are fully cooperating with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in their investigation of this very serious matter.

“There have never been any complaints or allegations made to the Archdiocese concerning Mr. Vasquez’s conduct with children.”

Vasquez-Guzman was in Marion County Jail without bond Thursday afternoon. He has no listed attorney, according to online court records.

He told police he did not have any sexual contact with the boys, according to court records.

Police began investigating after being called to a Westside home July 20, documents said. Two boys told the police that Vasquez-Guzman had molested them.

One of the boys, who is now 15, said the encounters have been going on for more than a year, court documents said. He said Vasquez-Guzman touched him inappropriately and performed oral sex on him.

The other boy, who is now 11, told investigators that he was molested by Vasquez-Guzman on July 20, court documents said. He said Vasquez-Guzman fondled him while watching movies at Vasquez-Guzman’s home with a group of other boys.

On July 23, police photographed and searched Vasquez-Guzman’s home, court documents said. He was arrested later that day.