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FREMONT (CBS SF) – A Catholic priest has been arrested on suspicion of 30 counts of alleged sexual abuse in Alameda County, authorities said Sunday.
Reverend Hector David Mendoza-Vela, parish administrator of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church of Fremont, is currently in custody at Santa Rita Prison, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. The alleged assault concerned a victim of 14 or 15 years over a period of 18 months from 2016, when Mendoza-Vela was assigned to the Church of St. John the Baptist of San Lorenzo.
The abuse occurred at the victim's home in Hayward, an unincorporated corporation, the sheriff's sheriff. Ray Kelly said.
The authorities are not aware of the existence of other child victims and the case was referred to the Alameda County Attorney's Office for prosecution.
The Bishop of Oakland, Michael Barber, said in a letter published on the Corpus Christi Church website that the alleged behavior of Mendoza-Vela "clearly contravened the Diocesan Code of Conduct and the Charter of Protection. children and young people ".
He added that during the investigation of the allegations, Mendoza-Vela "can not appear in public as a priest, nor engage in a priestly ministry".
Hector David Mendoza-Vela. (Source: Alameda County Sheriff's Office)
Mendoza-Vela, 42, was born in El Salvador and arrived in the United States, where he resides legally in 2008, according to a statement from the diocese. Ordained a priest in 2013, he is a parochial administrator of Corpus Christi since 2016.
Barber said in his letter that he would appoint a temporary administrator for the parish as soon as possible.
"I ask you to join me in praying for all those involved in this situation, but especially for all those who have been injured," he wrote.
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