Fr. Juan Guillen

Ordained: 1974
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Guillen pleaded guilty in 2003 to sexually abusing three boys and received a 10-year sentence and lifetime probation. Seven plaintiffs filed four civil suits by 2004. Some abuse was alleged to have occurred in the Monterey CA diocese. Some claims were included in a 2005/2006 settlement in AZ. A trial of one lawsuit filed in CA was set for 6/2009. The suit alleged abuse of a boy for years by Guillen and Fr. Juan Jairo Velez, beginning in 1988 when the boy was age eight, occurring in Yuma County AZ, Salinas County CA and in Mexico. It settled in 5/2009 for $1.2M. Guillen was removed from the priesthood in 2005. He was released from prison in 10/2011 and broke probation. He is believed to have fled to Mexico. On the Yuma County AZ most wanted list. Included on the  Monterey diocese’s list 1/2/2019, which notes a report to the Diocese in 2003 of abuse in 1992. Included on the Diocese of Tucson’s list of credibly accused.

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.