VALLEY PRIEST ACCUSED OF CHILD SEX CRIMES

CALIFORNIA
ABC 30

By Corin Hoggard
Tuesday, August 19, 2014

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A Catholic priest in Los Banos is under investigation for possible sex crimes against a teen.

As the faithful gathered at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Friday, police were next door, serving a search warrant.

The night before, the Diocese of Fresno alerted police of possible internet sex crimes against a local teen by the church’s lead pastor, Father Bob Gamel.

“During the search warrant, detectives recovered computer equipment, hard drives and other evidence related to the crime,” said Los Banos police Commander Jason Hedden.

Federal investigators are now analyzing the evidence, but Gamel has not been arrested or charged with any crime. The diocese removed him from the church, though, moving him to another location in Los Banos.

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