LOS ANGELES (CA)
Paso Robles Daily News [Paso Robles, CA]
July 8, 2025
– The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office filed an amended complaint on July 8 against Theodore Gabrielli, adding six new charges related to alleged child molestation involving a fourth victim under the age of 14. Gabrielli now faces a total of 26 counts of child molestation involving incidents that allegedly occurred decades ago within the county.
Gabrielli was employed as a Catholic priest at the time of the alleged offenses, which occurred over a period of several years. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by plea or conviction by a judge or jury.
The defendant entered not guilty pleas on July 8. The San Luis Obispo County Superior Court has scheduled a pre-preliminary hearing for July 31 in Department 6, with Judge Michael S. Frye presiding. Gabrielli is represented by attorney Ilan Funke-Bilu.
The District Attorney’s Office and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office continue to request that anyone with additional information or other potential victims contact the Sheriff’s Detective Division at (805) 781-4500. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at (805) 549-7867 or by visiting p3tips.com or slotips.org.
Authorities arrest Catholic priest after child abuse investigation
– Detectives with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office arrested a San Diego man on June 12 in connection with multiple reports of sexual abuse involving minors that allegedly began more than 30 years ago.
Theodore Edward Gabrielli, 61, was taken into custody in Los Osos and is facing charges of aggravated sexual assault of a minor.
The investigation began on Aug. 28, 2024, when the Sheriff’s Office received a report of child abuse. Detectives with the Special Victims Unit launched an immediate investigation. During the course of the investigation, three male victims under the age of 14 were identified. All three juveniles were members of the same family.
According to investigators, the family had been living in Mexico when they became acquainted with a Catholic priest, later identified as Gabrielli. He became close with the family and was allowed to take the three boys with him to various locations in California, including his parents’ residence in Los Osos. The victims stated that the sexual assaults occurred at that location and continued over a period of approximately eight years.
Gabrielli has worked in churches, schools, and ministries in San Jose, Los Gatos, and Los Angeles.
The victims came forward in 2024 to report the alleged abuse.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information about this case or other possible victims is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Detective Division at (805) 781-4500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (805) 549-7867, through the mobile app at P3TIPS.COM or online at www.slotips.org.