CNA Staff, Feb 28, 2024 / 10:18 am
A former priest was sentenced to 15 months in prison this week for molesting an Ohio minor suffering from cancer.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office announced the indictment of Luis Barajas in November of last year.
Barajas had been “acting in the capacity of a retired priest” when he “went to the victim’s residence” in order to “give her a blessing before her chemotherapy treatment.” During the blessing, Barajas “inappropriately touched the victim under a blanket,” the office said. The girl was 15 years old at the time of the assault.
Barajas subsequently pleaded guilty to the felony of gross sexual imposition. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Andrew Santoli announced the 15-month sentence on Tuesday. Barajas received time served and will be in prison for just under a year.