RALEIGH (NC)
Johnstown County Report [Johnstown NC]
August 4, 2025
JOHNSTON COUNTY – A Catholic priest at St. Ann Catholic Church in Johnston County was arrested early Monday morning and charged with felony solicitation of prostitution, according to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.
Clemente Guerrero-Olvera, 47, was taken into custody around 1:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the church, located along U.S. Highway 70 Business West near Clayton. Deputies were in the area searching for a missing juvenile when they encountered Guerrero-Olvera under suspicious circumstances.
A patrol deputy searching the church grounds reportedly spotted a young man inside a parked vehicle and another man attempting to flee on foot behind the church. The deputy detained the individual who had been running, later identified as Guerrero-Olvera, and located a 20-year-old male in the vehicle.
Authorities said the investigation revealed Guerrero-Olvera had arranged to meet the 20-year-old via the dating app Grindr, allegedly for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. The meeting reportedly took place on church property, where Guerrero-Olvera told deputies he resides. Investigators believe this may not have been the first such encounter involving the priest at that location.
According to the St. Ann Catholic Church website, Guerrero-Olvera serves as a parochial vicar—an assistant priest who supports the pastoral work of the parish under the direction of the pastor.
The Catholic Diocese of Raleigh issued a written statement Monday afternoon confirming it had been notified of Guerrero-Olvera’s arrest and that he had been “immediately removed from ministry in the Diocese of Raleigh.”
“While Fr. Clemente deserves a full presumption of innocence until proven otherwise, his priestly faculties in the Diocese of Raleigh have been revoked and he will be returned to his order while legal and canonical authorities further investigate this matter,” the statement read.
Guerrero-Olvera was booked at the Johnston County Detention Center and later released on a $2,500 secured bond.
Ja’Quavis Brinson, 20, of Benson, was charged with misdemeanor prostitution. He was released on an unsecured bond.
Deputies emphasized that the missing juvenile incident that initially led them to the church parking lot was unrelated to Guerrero-Olvera’s arrest.
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This story has been updated