Fr. Oscar A. Pelaez
Extern priest from Colombia, working in the Stockton diocese since his ordination in 1994. Granted U.S. citizenship in 2001. Allegations that he had sexually abused a boy 5/1998-5/2000 were reported in 11/2000 to the Diocese. The abuse began when the boy was age 14 and a parishioner of Sacred Heart in Turlock. Pelaez plied the boy with alcohol and pornography. He admitted the abuse to the Diocese and was sent to the Institute of Living in Hartford CT for treatment, where he was arrested in 2/2002. Pleaded guilty. Sentenced to six years in prison. Released on parole after three years. The Diocese paid a $1M settlement after Pelaez’s conviction. Name included on a list of claimed abusers attached to the Stockton diocese’s 5/9/2014 filing in bankruptcy court. Reportedly in 5/2026, immigration authorities were moving to revoke Pelaez’s citizenship for concealing serious crimes during his naturalization process.
- Hartford Courant 02.18.02
- Hartford Courant 02.20.02
- Associated Press 07.19.02
- L.A. Times 02.22.03
- Stockton Record (CA) 03.06.03
- KXTV (Stockton) 05.15.05
- Stockton Record 01.29.07
- California Catholic Daily 11.28.07
- SNAP Statement with link to Stockton Diocese Notice of Deadline for Filing Claims in Bankruptcy Court 07.16.14
- Mercury News 07.18.14
- Turlock Journal 09.16.14
- Turlock Journal 01.13.17
- San Diego Red 05.16.26
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