SANTA FE (NM)
Santa Fe New Mexican [Santa Fe NM]
May 3, 2024
By Nicholas Gilmore
A former Santa Fe priest has agreed to plead guilty in a child sex abuse case, according to a federal court filing earlier this week.
Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys for Daniel Balizan announced in a joint motion filed May 1 that they had arrived at a plea agreement, although the details have not yet been released.
A federal judge is scheduled to decide later this month whether Balizan, who faces charges of coercion and enticement of a minor, will await sentencing on the abuse charges from his home in Springer or in a jail cell.
Many at Santa María de la Paz say they’re keeping faith despite the “shock” of the allegations.
Daniel Balizan is accused of enticement of a minor with the intent to engage in sexual activity.
The former pastor at Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community was arrested last week on charges of sex abuse of a minor.
Daniel Balizan was removed from Santa María de la Paz Catholic Community nearly a year ago amid a misconduct investigation.
In the lawsuit, the man accuses the Rev. Daniel Balizan of exploiting his trust and ingrained obedience to church authority to sexually abuse him for several months.
An archdiocese spokeswoman confirmed the Rev. Daniel Balizan of Santa María de la Paz Catholic Community was the subject of an allegation.
By Nicholas Gilmore ngilmore@sfnewmexican.com