Fr. Manuel LaRosa-Lopez

Reports in 2018 by two people to the diocese of abuse by LaRosa-Lopez at a Conroe parish. A man said he was abused 1998-2001 as a teen, and told church officials, including Cardinal DiNardo, who offered counseling. A woman alleged abused as a teen in 2000. Priest was transferred. She again contacted the diocese in 2010; diocese told her he had been sent to a’ mental institution’ twice and had a job with no contact with children. She went to police. LaRosa-Lopez turned himself in 9/11/18; charged. Police raided rectory a week later. Accused in 10/18 of abusing an altar boy as a seminarian in mid-1990s. By late 11/18 six people, male and female, had alleged abuse. On archdiocese’s list 1/31/19. Suit filed 4/19. Indicted on two counts 5/2/19. Indicted in 6/19 on three more counts of alleged abuse in 2/99 and 6/00. Pled not guilty 7/18/19. Pled guilty in a plea deal in 11/20. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, and to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Suits settled.