A Roman Catholic priest, Father Jaime Arriaga, 41, has been arrested and is facing five felony charges for child molestation. His arrest was executed by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies, which has led to his removal from the Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Downey.

Details of the Charges

Father Arriaga, who is also known as Jaime Arriaga Pedroza, has entered a plea of not guilty to multiple allegations, which include assault with the intent to commit a felony and four counts of lewd acts involving a minor aged 14 to 15.

According to court records, the alleged offenses took place on February 8 and February 9 of this year. The Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit is currently investigating the case and is open to identifying additional potential victims, emphasizing that the current charges involve one specific victim.

Archdiocese’s Response

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which has faced scrutiny over clergy abuse scandals, issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to protecting minors and cooperating with law enforcement. They reported that allegations of misconduct against Father Arriaga were received on April 2, prompting his immediate suspension and subsequent arrest the following day.

“The archdiocese has a long-standing commitment to the protection of minors and reporting the prevention of abuse,” the statement read, highlighting their proactive approach in addressing the allegations.

In a communication shared with parishioners at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Louis of France in La Puente, it was announced that the priest had been removed from ministry due to the recent allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor.

A Context of Scandals

The issue of sexual abuse by clergy has been a significant challenge for the Catholic Church, with the Los Angeles Archdiocese being notably affected. In October of the previous year, the Archdiocese agreed to a record $880 million settlement with victims, raising its total payouts related to abuse cases to over $1.5 billion. This case has added to the list of allegations that now encompass nearly 2,500 claims against priests, including more than 500 individuals identified as abusers.

Background of Father Arriaga

Father Arriaga was born in Tenancingo, Tlaxcala, Mexico, and was ordained as a priest in June 2024. He had previously served as an associate pastor at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish before the allegations arose.

Current Status

Currently, Father Arriaga is held at the Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail without the option for bail. His legal proceedings are ongoing as discussions about the allegations and their implications continue.