Police seize Santa Fe archdiocese files in molestation case

Seattle PI
February 9, 2016

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/education/article/Police-seize-Santa-Fe-archdiocese-files-in-6817649.php

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities have seized records from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe as part of an investigation into claims that a Catholic school teacher inappropriately touched female students.

The New Mexican reports (http://bit.ly/1mpCoUk ) that Santo Nino Regional Catholic School art teacher Aaron Chavez has been charged with five counts of sexually touching young girls during classes.

The archdiocese says the 47-year-old Chavez was placed on administrative leave.

Affidavits for search warrants filed in district court Monday say deputies took items from the school and archdiocese offices, including student files, teacher's personnel files, a laptop computer and electronic memory cards.

Chavez' lawyer John Samore has said his client denies the allegations.

A spokeswoman for the archdiocese did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Monday.