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  Jesuit Brother Is Arrested on Child Molestation Charge

San Jose Mercury News (California)
April 23, 1994

Mercury News Staff Report

A 72-year-old Jesuit brother was arrested Friday on suspicion of child molestation stemming from an incident that Los Gatos police said occurred three years ago at a local church.

"The incident happened in 1991 and was reported in 1991, but because of the psychological trauma that the child suffered she was not able to give a complete disclosure until recently," said Sgt. Jeff Miller.

The suspect was identified by police as John Moniz, a brother at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos. Moniz was booked into Santa Clara County Jail with his bail set at $100,000.

The investigation into the incident began three years ago when officers received a report that Moniz had allegedly forced a then-4-year-old girl to fondle him as they took a walk at St. Mary's Church, Miller said.

Police interviewed Moniz in 1991 but did not have enough evidence to arrest him until Friday. Moniz was arrested without incident after meeting with officers at police headquarters.

The statute of limitations on the felony crime is six years, Miller said.

 
 

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