Fr. Urbano Vazquez-Ortega

Order: OFM Cap
Ordained: 2014
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Washington DC and MD

Accused of molesting a 13-year-old girl at Sacred Heart Shrine in Columbia Heights in 5/2015. The girl’s mother reportedly informed Rev. Mosis Villalta, OFM.Cap. in 2015; police were not notified until 10/26/2018, after Villalta told a visiting priest about the situation. Arrested 11/7/2018, charged with second-degree child abuse. Also accused of kissing a 16-year-old girl in 2015, and of rubbing a 15-year-old girl’s leg during confession the same year. Archdiocese suspended Vazquez after notified by Order of allegations 10/26/2018. Removed as pastor. Parish’s child protection coordinator placed on leave. Arrested on new allegations 12/11/2018, of abuse of a girl starting when she was age 9. On the Baltimore archdiocese’s list 12/14/2018. Indicted in 5/2019 on seven counts of sex abuse of two children and a woman. Convicted in 8/2019. Motion for a new trial in 9/2019; denied. Sentenced in 11/2019 to 15 years in prison. Found guilty in 11/2021 of abuse, which occurred during confession, of the young woman. Sentenced to 180 days in prison, to be added to the 15-year sentence. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General’s Report (name spelled Vasquez-Ortega). Included on the Washington archdiocese’s list.

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