DC Catholic priest found guilty on 3 counts second-degree child abuse, 1 count misdemeanor child abuse

By Madisson Haynes, Eliana Block, Samantha Kubota
Channel 9 (WUSA-TV)
August 15, 2019

https://on.wusa9.com/2z47qtW

Vazquez was found guilty of inappropriately touching two underage girls inside the church between 2015-17.

Father Urbano Vazquez, a Catholic priest at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Northwest, D.C., was found guilty Thursday of three counts of second-degree child abuse and one count of misdemeanor child abuse, Vazquez’s lawyer Robert Bonsib confirmed to WUSA9.

Jury selection began August 5, and the trial wrapped up Thursday in D.C. Superior Court.

Vazquez was found guilty of inappropriately touching two underage girls inside the church between 2015 and 2017.

The Archdiocese of Washington suspended Vazquez when they became aware of the allegations on Oct. 26, and he was put on Administrative Leave on Oct. 31.

"Father Ubano is disappointed at the verdict but [has] deeply appreciated the many members of Sacred Heart Church who attended the trial every day and supported him," Bonsib said. "They are the ones who know him best."

Bonsib said an appeal will be noted after the Nov. 22 sentencing hearing.