Fr. Manuel Gallo Espinoza
St. Mary’s, Plainfield NJ visiting priest from Ecuador. In 4/03 a 15-year-old male St. Mary’s youth group member told his priest-cousin and a youth group leader Gallo Espinoza raped him in a parish rectory bedroom. Reported less than two weeks later by Catholic Charities to prosecutor’s office. Gallo Espinoza old by Archdiocese he could no longer minister; fled to Ecuador. Investigation closed. In 2010 the boy, then a young adult, filed police report. The AD Review Board deemed the allegation credible and recommended laicization. In 2005 Gallo Espinoza returned to the US and taught in a middle school and a high school in MD and VA. Abruptly fled in 2/14. In 7/15 his whereabouts were unknown. Criminal investigation re-opened. Found in 8/15 to be in Ecuador. Admitted to a “sexual encounter” with the boy. Victim filed criminal complaint and arrest warrant issued 1/16. Indicted in 5/16. Still at large at the time. On archdiocese’s list 2/13/19. Permanently removed from ministry. Died by suicide in Ecuador 7/2/22 after shooting three people, killing one.
- NJ.com 07.30.15
- Daily Mail (UK) 08.19.15
- New Jersey 1015 08.19.15
- NJ.com 08.19.15
- SNAP 08.19.15
- WJLA 08.22.15
- Diocese of Cleveland Warning 08.27.15
- NJ.com 01.07.16
- NJ.com 05.25.16
- SNAP 05.26.16
- Clay Center Dispatch 05.26.16
- Patch 05.26.16
- Archdiocese of Newark List 02.13.19
- Archdiocese of Newark Tobin Letter 02.13.19
- NJ.com 07.07.22
Sources:
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