Lawsuit: Abuse Occurred in 2006

By Mindy Aguon
Guam Daily Post
October 7, 2017

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/lawsuit-abuse-occurred-in/article_6aeeac84-aa5f-11e7-8ea1-7769a7fe74f8.html

Vernon Kamiaz

A 23-year-old former altar boy is the latest victim to come forward alleging he was sexually abused by a Capuchin brother assigned to the Agana Heights parish in 2006.

J.C.M.P., who used initials to protect his identity, filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Agana, the Capuchin Friars and Vernon Kamiaz.

The lawsuit alleges that Kamiaz sexually abused J.C.M.P. when he was 12 years old. Kamiaz allegedly was a Capuchin brother who was actively involved with training the altar boys.

One day after Mass, Kamiaz asked J.C.M.P. and his brother to help him clean up around his house, according to the lawsuit. The complaint states J.C.M.P. agreed because they looked up to Kamiaz as a trusted mentor and friend and he was also a friend of the family.

While cleaning, J.C.M.P.'s brother and Kamiaz's nephew went next door, leaving J.C.M.P. alone with Kamiaz.

The lawsuit alleges Kamiaz began rubbing and caressing the boy and then took him into his bedroom and sexually abused him.

After the incident, J.C.M.P. kept his distance from Kamiaz and made sure he was never left alone with him while serving as an altar boy at the Agana Heights parish.

J.C.M.P.'s attorney David Lujan alleges his client has suffered and continues to suffer emotional distress, embarrassment, and loss of self-esteem and humiliation as a result of Kamiaz's misconduct.

The lawsuit seeks $5 million in damages.

This is the fourth case naming Kamiaz, who is also a teacher at Simon Sanchez High School. After the filing of the first lawsuit, the Guam Department of Education moved Kamiaz out of the classroom and detailed him to the Curriculum and Instruction Office, away from any classroom.