Fr. Jaime A. Gonzalez-Farias

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Ordained: 1990
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Charleston SC

Visiting priest from the Diocese of San Bernardo in Chile. Arrived in the U.S. in 2001 and in SC in 2015. Worked also in FL and NJ. In 2017 a parishioner sent diocesan officials a photo of Gonzalez-Farias taking a boy to Walmart, and in 2018 a woman told the Diocese she was concerned about the priest’s relationship with her young nephews. In 12/2020, while he was visiting Chile, the Diocese received a report that Gonazalez-Farias had recently sexually abused a boy, age 11, including during a trip to FL. He had been placed on leave in late 11/2020 after the boy’s family reported inappropriate conduct, but not sexual abuse. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese of Charleston SC on its list in 8/2021. Gonzalez-Farias was arrested in Miami FL 11/29/2022 by the U.S. Marshall Service. He admitted to showering with the boy, touching his genitals and showing him pornography. Pleaded not guilty in 1/2023. Pleaded guilty in 8/2023. Sentenced in 2/2024 to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison. Ordered to pay the family $14,240 in restitution and to be supervised for the rest of life upon his release from prison.


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