BishopAccountability.org

California priest is accused of manipulating illegal immigrant followers into letting him masturbate them to 'cure' them of their sins

By Chauncey Alcorn
Daily Mail
February 26, 2019

https://dailym.ai/2EAPevP

Anglican priest Jesus Antonio Castaneda Serna, 51, was arrested Sunday for allegedly sexually abusing at least three of his congregants at Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe in Fresno, California

Serna was charged with multiple counts of sexual battery, battery, and attempted sexual battery after a 13-month investigation. He is pictured here kissing the feet of an unidentified worshiper in a picture from Facebook

Authorities said Serna targeted undocumented immigrants for sexual abuse because they were less likely to call police, telling his victims they were cursed or had sinned and that their semen needed to be examined before they could be healed

Fresno detectives said at least 19 more people have told church officials they were abused by Serna, but that they fear hundreds more could have been targeted

A California priest who allegedly manipulated his followers into letting him masturbate them to 'cure' them of their sins has been arrested.

Jesus Antonio Castaneda Serna, 51, headed the  Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Anglican Church in Fresno.

He was taken into custody on Sunday after a 13-month investigation and charged with multiple counts of sexual battery, battery, and attempted sexual battery.

Police say he assaulted at least three of his congregants, aged 54, 45, and 43.

Fresno detectives said at least 19 more people have told church officials they were abused by Serna, but there could be hundreds more.

Many of the alleged victims already identified were undocumented immigrants who investigators say Serna targeted because they feared being arrested.

'Serna preyed on the undocumented because he knew they would be reluctant to talk to the police,' Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer told the Fresno Bee.

'He used his position as a religious leader to convince these victims to be spiritually right with God... It's our hope that as we progress that we'll be able to interview all of the 22 victims and we hope other people to come forward.'

Authorities said Serna told his victims they were cursed or had sinned and that their semen needed to be 'examined'. 

Serna allegedly claimed a healing ritual he learned in India required him to rub and masturbate his victims with a 'sacred oil', detectives said.

This isn't the first time Serna has been accused of sexual misconduct. 

The Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin said in a statement that Serna joined their diocese in 2008.

But he was 'stripped of all priestly roles, privileges, and standing' on November 24, 2017, after he was credibly accused of committing sexual misconduct against adults in the diocese, KFSN-TV reported.

The incident was reported to police. It's unclear whether Serna was charged for the incident. 

'On November 24, 2017, [Serna] informed the bishop he would not contest the accusations, and he consented to be deposed from priestly ministry in the Anglican Church,' the San Joaquin Diocese said in its statement. 

'[Serna] was then stripped of all priestly roles, privileges, and standing, and Bishop Menees began lending day-to-day pastoral care and oversight to [Serna's] former congregation.'

Investigators found that Serna also served as a Catholic priest in Yakima, Washington from 1997 to 2006, according to Dyer.

The accused clergyman faces up to 11 years in prison if found guilty of all current counts, according to Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, who said anyone else who may have been abused by Serna should not be afraid to come forward, regardless of their immigration status.

Smittcamp said victimized undocumented immigrants may apply for a U-visa, which grants legal protections to those who have suffered mental or physical abuse, allowing them to aid law enforcement in an investigation.

Alleged victims are urged to call the Fresno Police Department at 559-621-7000.




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