Law limits sexual abuse charges

GUAM
Pacific Daily News

Shawn Raymundo, sraymundo@guampdn.com
May 23, 2016

Whether Roy Quintanilla does decide to take legal action against Archbishop Anthony Apuron for allegedly molesting the 52-year-old man 40 years ago, Guam’s laws on sexual abuse crimes could thwart any attempts to bring the matter to court.

According to Guam law, a person who was sexually abused as a minor has until three years from the time they reach 18 years old to bring the issue to the attorney general’s office to file criminal charges against the assailant. The statute of limitations kicks in after the victim has turned 21 years old.

Speaking to the media in front of the Archdiocese of Agana Chancery Office last Tuesday, Quintanilla spoke about the reported encounter with Apuron. Quintanilla said the alleged abuse happened when he was a 12-year-old altar server for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Agat while Apuron was the parish priest.

Apuron also faced sexual abuse claims back in late 2014, when John C. Toves accused the archbishop of molesting his cousin. The cousin, however, never came forward to confirm the allegations, news files state.

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