Diocese of Tucson AZ - BishopAccountability.org

33 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Richard Edmund Butler

Order: OP
Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 03/18/1988
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Assigned to St. Thomas More Newman Center in Tucson 1968-1974. Chaplain-director of Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson, a Mexican mariachi band of boys between the ages of 13-17. Travelled with them on tour throughout the United States and Mexico. Died in 1988. In 3/2003 the diocese reviewed personnel files and announced that Butler and others had been subjects of credible allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors. Per the Domincans' St. Albert the Great Province List 4/21/2022, the Diocese of Tucson received an allegation in 2002 of abuse by Butler in the 1960s-early 1970s and that a second allegation received later could not be substantiated. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Diocese of Tucson List accessed 04.02.10

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Fr. William T. Byrne

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1952
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 4/1999, along with Msgr. Robert Trupia, of sexually abusing a boy and giving him drugs and alcohol 1976-1979. At least one other suit was filed against Byrne. In 2/2002 the Diocese announced it had settled 11 civil suits involving 10 plaintiffs for $14M, some claiming abuse by Byrne. Two sisters filed suit in 8/2002 alleging that Byrne abused their brothers during the 1960s and that the brothers then abused the two sisters. At least one of the brothers had participated in the 2/2002 settlement. Byrne died in 1991. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused.

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Fr. Patrick J. Callanan

Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Included on a 6/2002 list of 15 priests with ties to the Tucson diocese who are alleged to have abused minors. Allegation reportedly was received in 6/2002. Callanan died in 1975.

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Diocese of Tucson List 09.06.08

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Fr. Carlos B. Cocio

Ordained: 1981
Status: Sued

Died: 01/1/2021
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Per a 6/2002 statement from the Diocese, Cocio was suspended form ministry in 1993 after allegations of sexual misconduct with an adult. Also in 1993, a parent made an allegation to the Diocese concerning child sexual abuse that had been reported to the sheriff in 1989. The sheriff decided not to prosecute, but a report was given to the Diocese at that time. Still on leave per the 2002 Catholic Directory. Accused in a federal lawsuit filed in 12/2020 against the Diocese of Tucson, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and St. John's Seminary in Camarillo CA of raping a teenage boy repeatedly over several days in 1980. The boy allegedly told his parish priests in Nogales and one of them, Msgr. Walter Rosensweig, laughed at him and later also abused him. Included on the diocese's list of credibly accused. Laicized in 2012. In 4/2021 Cocio is reportedly deceased.

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Diocese of Tucson List of Accused Priests 09.06.08

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Fr. Jorge Washington Cordova Hernandez

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1982
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

From the Diocese of Quito, Ecuado. Accused in 2005 of abusing two teenage girls during his assignment to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Yuma from 1988 to 1991. Indicted. Fled to Ecuador before he could be arrested. Arrested by police in Spain in 6/2007 and was expected to be extradited to the US. Indicted in two counties. Included on the Tucson diocese's list of credibly accused. Included on the Diocese of Phoenix list in 2019; noted to have died in 2018.

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Diocese of Tucson List of Accused Priests

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Deacon Ron DeChant

Donate Photo

Status: Arrested

Died: 05/23/1984
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

DeChant worked as a deacon at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Tucson from 1981 to 1984. The Diocese announced in 2004 that it had learned from police that DeChant was arrested in 1984 after an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct with minors. Died in 5/1984, age 38.

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Diocese of Tucson List 09.06.08

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Fr. John P. Doran

Ordained: 1945
Status: Sued

Died: 04/20/1997
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Reportedly in 9/2002, Doran was accused of abuse in 1963 in what was then the Diocese of Tucson, prior to the created in 1969 of the Diocese of Phoenix. A church spokesman said the diocese was also aware of another potential allegation from the same time period. Per documents, Doran was confronted in 1958 by Bishop Green for "homosexual sex with minors" and Doran admitted to his behavior. In 1966 a Brophy College Prep student reported to Bishop Green sexual abused by Doran. In 1969 Doran was made a diocesan consulter when Phoenix was established. Doran retired in 1990 and died in 1997. Accused in two lawsuits filed 9/2/2020 of abusing two boys, who were St. Thomas the Apostle parishioners, in the 1970s. At least one other suit filed.

Assignments:

Diocese of Tucson List 09.06.08

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Fr. George M. Dyke

Ordained: 1946
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Name released in 2003 by the Tucson diocese as credibly accused. Placed on leave in 1965 and laicized in 1968 at his own request. Died in 1971. Attended Catholic University in Washington DC 1949-1951. Dean 1953-1960. Parish priest, high school principal.

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Assignments Summarized by Diocese of Tucson 03.27.03

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Fr. Robert A. Gluch

Ordained: 1964
Status: Settled

Died: 09/13/1993
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Multiple allegations. Accused in a 2002 lawsuit of abusing a boy beginning in 1965 when the boy was age 13. Sued at least twice in 2003 in Arizona. Also sued in California. Died in 1993. At least two claims included in Tucson settlement as part of bankruptcy. Accused in a federal lawsuit in 12/2020 against the Diocese of Tucson, Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, CA of abusing an altar boy in 1978. The boy and his mother told Bishop Green, who moved Gluch to a Brisbee parish. At least nine known alleged victims in AZ and CA. Included on the Diocese of Tucson's list of credibly accused.

Fr. Juan Guillen

Ordained: 1974
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Pleaded guilty in 2003 to abuse of three boys. Received a 10-year sentence and lifetime probation. Seven plaintiffs filed four civil suits by 2004. Some abuse alleged to have occurred in Monterey CA diocese. Some claims were included in a 2005/2006 settlement in AZ. Trial of one suit filed in CA was set for 6/2009. Suit alleged abuse of a boy for years by Guillen and Velez, beginning in 1988 when the boy was age eight. The abuse occurred in Yuma Coutny AX, Salinas County CA and in Mexico. Settled in 5/2009 for $1.2M. Removed from the priesthood in 2005. Released from prison in 10/2011 and broke probation. Believed to have fled to Mexico. On the Yuma County AZ most wanted list. On the Monterey diocese's list 1/2/2019. It notes a report to the diocese in 2003 of abuse in 1992.

Fr. Charles Knapp

Ordained: 1963
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

In 3/2021 a woman joined a lawsuit filed in 12/2020 against the Diocese of Tucson, the Archdiocese of L.A. and St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, CA, claiming Knapp sexually abusing her when she was age 5, in the 1970s. She said Knapp was a guest in her family's home, and that the abuse occurred in her bedroom under the guise of play while her parents were preparing dinner. She had come forward to the diocese in 6/2019; Knapp was suspended. The Diocesan Review Board reportedly determined that the allegations could not be "reasonably substantiated" and recommended Knapp be returned to public ministry. The woman said Knapp also abused her best friend at the time, under similar circumstances.

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Fr. Fernando L. Manzo

Ordained: 1983
Status: Indicted

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

From Guadalajara, Mexico. Pastor of San Felipe De Jesus Parish in Nogales, AZ when placed on leave in 12/2003 after he was informed of allegations that he sexually abusing his nephew for four years, beginning when the boy was age 8. Some of the abuse is alleged to have occurred at San Felipe De Jesus. Fled, likely to Guadalajara. Police investigated. Tucson police determined that several youths alleged abuse by Manzo during the 1990s, and that the Diocese responded by moving him to other parishes. The nephew filed a civil lawsuit in 12/2004. Manzo was removed from the priesthood in 2010. Included on the Tucson diocese's list of credibly accused.

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Diocese of Tucson List of Accused Priests 09.06.08

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Fr. Francis Miller

Order: OCD
Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Ordained for the Order of Discalced Carmelites in 1949. Assigned to St. Margaret Mary parish in the Tucson diocese 1955-1963. Left the diocese in 1963. As of 2005 he was living in a retirement facility run by the Order. A 3/2003 article reports credible accusations of child molestation against him. Placed on leave. Per the diocese's list in 3/2024, Miller is deceased.

Assignments:

Diocese of Tucson List 09.06.08

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Deacon Ray Miranda

Donate Photo

Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Deacon. Assigned 1982-1983 to St. Andrew the Apostle in Sierra Vista. Named by the Diocese in 2003 as credibly accused of child sexual abuse. Miranda was suspended from all ministry in 1983 and was not returned to ministry as a deacon.

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Diocese of Tucson List 09.06.08

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Fr. John A. Oliver

Ordained: 1952
Status: Convicted

Died: 03/26/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Monsignor. Reportedly 2002, in 1967 Oliver was alleged to have picked up a 14-year-old boy who was hitchhiking home. Instead of taking him home, the boy said Oliver drove him to a house, gave him alcohol and molested him. The Diocese said Oliver pleaded guilty, but it is unclear what plea was involved. Sentenced to 6 or 7 years' probation. Sheriff's report from case included a comment suggesting prior cover-ups by the Diocese. Retired in 2000; placed on leave 5/2002. Supervised accused priest R. Trupia. Died 3/26/2011.

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Fr. George Pirrung

Ordained: 1954
Status: Accused

Died: 02/3/2016
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Accused in 2003 of molesting a boy in the mid-1950s. The Tucson Diocese then searched its archives and found two more allegations dating to 1966. The archives revealed no action on the part of the Diocese. Faculties removed. Reports referred to police; no action expected due to the statute of limitations. All allegations deemed credible. Died in 2016.

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Fr. Thomas Patrick Purcell

Order: SM
Ordained: 1972
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Professed vows in 1959 as a Marianist, Province of St. Louis. Worked in MO, IL, TX, AZ. Ordained in 1972. Left the Order in 1990. Incardinated in 1990 into the Diocese of Fresno. Faculties revoked 3/15/1996. Name appeared in a 6/2002 news article listing 15 priests with ties to the Tucson diocese who had been accused of child sexual abuse. Purcell worked in the Tucson diocese 1982-1984 as a visiting priest. Convicted in 2003 of abuse of a 13-year-old boy in 1982-1983. Received a 9.5-year sentence. Included on the Diocese of Tucson's list in 8/2011, referred to as a Diocese of Fresno priest suspended from ministry. Included on the Marianists' 6/24/2020 list of accused. On the Stockton diocese's list 11/12/2020, where he worked in the summer of 1981 and 1/1-3/1 1982. Included on the Diocese of Fresno's list in 2021. On the Belleville diocese's list 9/20/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Paul J. Ranft

Ordained: 1940
Status: Sued

Died: 01/25/2001
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Ordained in 1940 for the Diocese of Covington, KY. Transferred to Tucson in 1953 because of health problems, including severe asthma. A woman filed suit in 6/2004, alleging abuse by Ranft and six other priests while she was a student at Immaculate Heart Academy 1962-1965. Ranft is the main abuser listed in the petition; the other priests are mostly identified only by last names. He died in 2001 at age 86.

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Fr. Claudio Riol

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1930
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Ordained for the Diocese of Trujillo, Peru. Worked in the Diocese of Tucson 1960-1966. Added in 12/2004 to Tucson's list of credibly accused. Also named in a 4/2005 civil suit regarding abuse at the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary convent in Tucson. Deceased.

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Diocese of Tucson List 09.06.08

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Sr. Rosaria Riter

Donate Photo

Order: OSB
Status: Accused

Died: 12/20/1996
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Given name Ruth Marie Riter. Member of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago. Taught in the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Diocese of Pueblo, the Diocese of Tucson and St. Scholastica Academy in Chicago and Canon City CO. Died in 1996. In 11/2003 the Diocese of Tucson announced credible sexual abuse allegations against Sr. Riter of abuse of a boy dating back to 1949-1953, when was a Sacred Heart School faculty member. Allegations were reported to police. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused.

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Diocese of Tucson List 09.06.08

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Fr. Walter F. Rosensweig

Ordained: 1953
Status: Settled

Died: 05/9/2016
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Former Chancellor. Placed on leave in 1996. In 3/1996 a man sued Rosensweig and the Diocese alleging abuse by Rosenweig as a teen on at least two occasions in 1981. The suit settled out of court in 8/1997 without an amount disclosed. Retired in 2001. Removed from public ministry in 6/2002. Named in a second lawsuit filed in 11/2003. Named in a federal lawsuit against the Diocese of Tucson and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as molesting a boy in 1980, after the boy told him he had been raped by Rev. Carlos Cocio. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused. Died in 5/2016.

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Diocese of Tucson List 09.06.08

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Fr. Charles Rourke

Ordained: 1958
Status: Settled

Died: 04/14/1993
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Rourke was suspended from ministry in 1984 for alcohol-related medical reasons. The Diocese became aware of allegations of child abuse against him. On leave of absence 1969-1973 and assigned to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Returned to the Tucson diocese 1973-1975 and 1981-1984, with another leave of absence 1975-1981 between those assignments. Died by suicide 4/14/1993 while under investigation for alleged abuse of children in Albuquerque. Named in a civil suit which settled in 2006 as part of Tucson bankruptcy. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese list of accused on 9/12/2017. On the Diocese of San Bernardino list 10/9/2018 which notes that the Diocese was aware in 1979 of alleged abuse the same year.

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Fr. Julian Sanz

Ordained: 1977
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

From Spain. Founded an orphanage in Mexico, near Yuma. Arrived in the Tucson diocese in 1980. Incardinated in 1994. Placed on leave in 10/2002 after a boy, age 15, said he had been molested in 8/2002. Another victim came forward later to say he was molested at age 11 during confession in 1982. Sanz was arrested in 2/2003 on two counts of sexual abuse of a child. Pleaded no contest. Sentenced in 10/2003 to five years in prison. A civil suit was filed in 1/2004 by the victim in criminal charges. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused. Removed from the priesthood in 2010.

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Fr. Clemens M. Schlueter

Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 09/14/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Ordained for the Diocese of Steubenville. Moved to the Diocese of Tucson in 1961. Name spelled variously as "Schleuter" and "Schlueter, " consistently "Schlueter" after 1965 in the Catholic Directory. Incardinated into the Tucson diocese in 1978. Retired in 1990. Announcement in 6/2002 that Schlueter had been suspended from ministry in 1997 after the Diocese learned of an allegation of child abuse dating to the 1960s. Included on the Tucson diocese's list of credibly accused. Died in 9/2009.

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Deacon Byron Wayne Schoolcraft

Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Per the Diocese of Tucson list accessed 8/5/2011, Schoolcraft was suspended from ministry. He was assigned to Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Tucson 1981-1984. Found in 3/2024 to be a registered sex offender living in TX. Schoolcraft was apparently incarcerated for 5 years for molesting a girl, age 11, in AZ. "Disposition date" 1/11/1985.

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Diocese of Tucson List 08.05.11

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Seminarian Phillip G. Speers

Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Speers, a former seminary student and teacher at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Yuma, was accused of abusing at least five girls in a second grade class in 1999-2000 as well as possession of child pornography. Settlement of $1.8M in 2003 with the girls and their families. Convicted in 2002 and 2003 but decisions reversed by AZ court of appeals. Retried in 8/2007 and found guilty. Sentenced to 34 years in prison. Possession of child pornography charges dropped. Included on the diocese's list of credibly accused.

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Diocese of Tucson List 09.06.08

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Fr. Steven Gerard Stencil

Ordained: 1981
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Diocesan Vocations Director. In 2000 a youth told church officials that Stencil groped him at age 17 in 1999 at a pool party. Matter turned over to police. No charges. Church investigation deemed the incident accidental. Stencil was placed on leave in 2001 after violating a diocesan policy forbidding priests from being in the company of minors overnight. He had taken a trip to Mexico with one parent and several teenage boys. The same youth complained again in 2002. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused. Per the Diocese, Stencil was removed from priesthood in 2011; Stencil said he asked to be voluntarily defrocked. Stencil went on to work in the foster care system and, in 2019, began work as a driver for school and scout groups.

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Diocese of Tucson List 09.06.08

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Fr. Floyd G. Stromberg

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1959
Status: Sued

Died: 12/22/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Retired in 3/2002. Placed on leave in 7/2002 after confirming a 1966 allegation that surfaced in 6/2002. Named in a 420/05 civil suit as one of several abusers of a girl at Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary convent 1954-1968. Also named in a 3/2006 suit by a man claiming abuse at the same convent. Stromberg died in 12/2007. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused.

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Diocese of Tucson List 09.06.08

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Fr. Michael J. Teta

Ordained: 1974
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Transferred to Tucson from the Trenton diocese in 1978. Incardinated into the Tucson diocese in 1982. Abuse alleged to have occurred during his first assignment in Tucson 1978-1980. Placed on leave in 1991. Accused of child abuse in several of the 11 lawsuits filed 1999-2002 which were settled by the Tucson diocese in 1/2002. Laicization announced 8/5/2004. Named in another suit filed in 9/2004. Often associated with R. Trupia, another abuser. The Diocese paid him $900 per month 1991-2004. Included on the diocese's list of credibly accused. Accused in a suit filed in 1/2021 of abuse of a minor while assigned to St. Joseph's in Bound Brook 1974-1977.

Fr. James N. Thompson

Donate Photo

Order: CM
Status: Accused

Died: 09/26/1982
Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Named publicly in 2/2004 by the Diocese as credibly accused of child sexual abuse. Reportedly assigned to St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Phoenix in 1964-1965 when the parish was in the Diocese of Tucson. Died in 1982.

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Diocese of Tucson List 09.06.08

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Fr. Robert C. Trupia

Ordained: 1973
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Served as Judicial Vicar. Accusations date back to seminary. Suspended in 1992. Named in several suits 1994-2002. Claims included in 11 lawsuits which were settled by the Tucson diocese in 1/2002. Arrested and charged in 2001. Seven criminal charges dismissed in 2001 due to the statute of limitations. One suit was set for trial in 6/2004. Bishop Moreno and other diocesan staff did affidavits regarding Trupia's refusal of treatment in 1992 and his blackmail and allegations about another Bishop in the diocese. Laicized in 2004. Living in MD in 2010. Included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused. Mentioned in the 4/5/2023 MD Attorney General's Report.

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BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Gary E. Underwood

Ordained: 1980
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Arraigned in 11/2006 on eight counts of molesting two boys under the age of 15 in 1983 and 1984 at St. Odilia's Catholic Church, where he was assigned 1982-1988. Working as an Air Force chaplain in Louisiana when placed on leave by the Diocese. Indicted again in 5/2007 on charges of abusing another youth in 1985-1986. Pleaded guilty in 5/2008 to abuse of three. Sentenced in 8/2008 to ten years in prison and lifetime probation. In 7/2009 his probation was reduced to three years. Included on the Tucson diocese's list of credibly accused. Removed from the priesthood in 2011.

Fr. Richard Zamorano

Ordained: 1993
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Tucson AZ

Priest of the Diocese of El Paso. Moved to Tucson in 2002 to care for his mother. Taught there at Salpointe Catholic High School and helped out in parishes. Also in 2002 Zamorano adopted two boys from Mexico. Reportedly in 2014, Zamorano was removed from ministry by the Tucson diocese in 2012 after he allegedly took a mentally disabled adult parishioner to a motel, gave him alcohol and sexually assaulted him. The District Attorney's office investigated; no charges were filed. A civil suit filed in 6/2014 named Zamorano, the Diocese of Tucson, and the Diocese of El Paso. Per the 2017 Catholic Directory, he was still an El Paso priest, absent on leave.

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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.