Fr. Gustavo Benson
Full surname Benson Sotomayor. Accused of abusing at least three boys in San Bernardino, Barstow and Colton in the 1970s and 1980s. Arrested in 1/1987. Pleaded no contest to sexual abuse of one altar boy while working in Barstow CA. Sent to Via Coeli, NM for treatment and ordered to register as a sex offender. With San Bernardino Bishop Starling’s approval Benson was transferred in 1987 to the Diocese of Tijuana, México. Tijuana Bishop Emilio Berlie was informed of Benson’s past. Two filed suit in 12/2003. Benson’s name was included in 3/2007 on the San Diego diocese list. Personnel file released in 10/2010. In 2010 Benson remained an active priest in St. San Judas Ta Deo Church, Ensenada, México. As of 2017, he was believed to be living in Tucson, AZ. Included on the San Bernardino diocese’s list 10/9/2018.
- L.A. Times 05.06.87
- San Bernardino Sun 04.29.02
- San Bernardino Sun 05.08.02
- Press Enterprise 05.10.02
- Dallas Morning News 06.12.02
- Press Enterprise 01.01.04
- Press Enterprise 01.14.04
- Press Enterprise 11.10.05
- Lompoc Record 03.30.07
- Diocese of San Diego List 03.30.07
- Union Tribune 03.31.07
- Canadian Press 10.25.10
- Documents released by San Diego Diocese 10.25.10
- 10 News 10.25.10
- SNAP Statement 10.25.10
- San Diego 6 10.25.10
- KBPS 10.26.10
- Desert Dispatch 10.29.10
- Diocese of San Diego/San Bernardino list 09.14.18
- Diocese of San Bernardino list 10.09.18
- University of Sydney Student Thesis 2011
Assignments:
Sources:
Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.
Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.