SLATON (TX)
KCBD [Lubbock TX]
June 20, 2025
By KCBD Staff
A former Slaton priest was arrested Wednesday accused of attempting to touch a woman without her consent.
73-year-old Ammanuel Puthuparambil is charged with indecent assault and unlawful restraint.
Court documents detail three incidents of Puthuparambil attempting to sexually assault the victim and another incident attempting to restrain her.
The Catholic Diocese of Lubbock released the following statement:
“Sadly, the Diocese of Lubbock is aware of the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Father Ammanuel Puthuparambil and is monitoring developments.
Upon learning of the allegation, Bishop Coerver immediately removed Father Puthuparambil from his parishes in Slaton.
The Diocese hopes this case can be resolved quickly in the legal system so that Father Puthuparambil can return to his home monastery in India as previously scheduled.”
The Slaton Police Department cannot comment on on-going investigations.
Both counts are classified as class A misdemeanors and punishable by up to a year in jail.
Puthuparambil remains in the Lubbock County Detention Center on a $10,000 bond.