Fr. Hector David Mendoza Vela
From El Salvador. Arrived in the U.S. in 2008. Pastor of Corpus Christi in Fremont CA when arrested in 3/19. Accused of sexually abusing a boy, age 14 or 15, over 18 months in 2016-17. Placed on administrative leave. Pleaded not guilty in 7/19 to 30 criminal counts; pleaded no contest in 8/19 to 5 counts in a plea agreement. Sentenced 9/27/19 to 4 years, 8 months in prison. Canonical process initiated. The victim, who said the priest also molested his brother, filed suit in 5/20. Included in 6/22 on the diocese’s list of credibly accused.
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