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On September 14, 2023, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara, a priest in the Archdioceses of Los Angeles, was charged with felony possession of child pornography. Martinez-Guevara allegedly possessed over 600 images of child sexual abuse material – including images and videos of children under the age of 12.
“As a priest, the defendant is in a position of tremendous power, authority and trust,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “The alleged crimes deeply violate that trust and involve a disturbing number of sexual images of young boys. These are not simply images and videos. Rather, if found true, they constitute horrific exploitation of our most vulnerable, and the actions of the defendant must be met by the full force of the law.”
The 38-year-old Catholic priest, Father Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara, was a member of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit in Long Beach, but is associated with several other churches including the neighboring St. Maria Goretti Church and it’s school, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Oxnard, and had previously served in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Martinez-Guevara became the focus of an investigation after several reports were made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In April 2023, the Ventura County Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force initiated an investigation of their own. Investigators determined Martinez-Guevara was allegedly in direct possession of over 600 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material – involving mostly boys.
Unfortunately, investigators believe that there be additional victims and encourage anyone with information involving Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara to contact their local police department as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one are survivors of sexual abuse or misconduct by Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara or any other member of the Catholic church, you may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit against him and the institution that may have protected him.
While criminal charges may serve to take a predator out of the community and away from vulnerable children, they do not provide measurable justice for survivors. A civil lawsuit may allow survivors to hold the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, it’s member churches, and leaders who may have hidden abuse, ignored reports, and allowed a predator unfettered access to vulnerable child victims. While this case is still emerging and the news and facts may change, the Archdioceses across the country have a history of hiding such abuses and trying to keep them from coming to light. In fact, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has paid survivors hundreds of millions of dollars as a result of the sexual abuse of over 50 member priests and bishops.
At DiMarco | Montevideo | Araujo, our attorneys have significant experience representing survivors of sexual abuse within the Catholic church. We understand how profoundly these incidents can affect survivors’ lives and how difficult it is to come forward. Survivors may need long-term or lifelong therapy. The abuse may impact their education, athletic, or career prospects. It may even adversely impact their family life and future. A sexual abuse lawsuit can secure vital financial resources to address these and other impacts moving forward.
Please, contact our attorneys as soon as you are ready. We offer a free consultation and can handle your case with complete anonymity.