St. Anthony’s pastoral associate charged with child molestation

A pastoral associate with St. Anthony Catholic Church is facing 10 felony charges after being accused of having sexual contact with two boys from the church.

Oscar Vasquez-Guzman, 38, Indianapolis, was charged Tuesday with two counts of child molesting, seven counts of sexual misconduct with a minor and one count of attempted sexual misconduct with a minor. Charging documents cover incidents that happened between Sept. 10, 2013, and July 20, 2015. The victims are listed between the ages of 11 and 15.

St. Anthony’s officials referred questions about Vasquez-Guzman’s arrest and his current status with the church to The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

The archdiocese said in an email Tuesday that Vasquez-Guzman began working at St. Anthony in October 2012 and underwent a regular criminal background check. The archdiocese said it has never received any complaints or allegations made against him concerning his conduct at the church.

“The pastor informed people at all the Masses last weekend at St. Anthony Church about Mr. Vasquez’ arrest,” the statement said, “and letters are being mailed to parishioners’ homes in both English and Spanish.”

Vasquez-Guzman was in Marion County Jail without bond Tuesday afternoon. He has no listed attorney, according to online court records.

Police began investigating Vasquez-Guzman after being called to a Near Westside home the night of July 20 to take a report, court documents said. Two boys told the responding officer that Vasquez-Guzman, who they knew from church, had molested them. The next day, both boys spoke to a forensic child interviewer at the Child Advocacy Center.

One of the boys, who is 15, said his first encounter with Vasquez-Guzman happened when he was 14 years old, court documents said. The boy said he was playing in the park in front of St. Anthony’s when Vasquez-Guzman approached and invited the boy over to his house.

The boy agreed, saying that everyone knew Vasquez-Guzman as “a good guy,” court documents said.

The boy said that while at the home Vasquez-Guzman complimented his body and began to touch him inappropriately underneath his clothes, court documents said. Feeling uncomfortable, the boy pushed Vasquez-Guzman’s hands away.

A few days later, Vasquez-Guzman apologized to the boy during a camping trip, court documents said. The boy told police that he never told anyone because he didn’t think anyone would believe him.

About a year later when he was 15, the boy went to Vasquez-Guzman’s house to prepare for a church activity. The boy said Vasquez-Guzman again touched him inappropriately and performed oral sex on him, court documents said.

Vasquez-Guzman later repeatedly touched the boy inappropriately over his clothing, court documents said. After the incidents, Vasquez-Guzman would tell the boy that he should not tell his mother because the police would get involved and the boy’s family would be deported.

The other boy, who is 11, told investigators that he was molested by Vasquez-Guzman on July 20, court documents said. He said Vasquez-Guzman fondled him while watching movies at Vasquez-Guzman’s home with a group of other boys.

After the incident, the boy told his mother, who immediately called police, court documents said.

On July 23, police photographed and searched Vasquez-Guzman’s home, court documents said. Later that day, Vasquez-Guzman spoke with police and denied having any sexual contact with the boys. He was arrested after the police interview.

Call Star reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138. Follow him on Twitter:@justinlmack.