The Associated Press reported that 41-year-old Father Antonio Cortes is in jail on $775,000 bail after he was arrested for allegedly providing alcohol to a minor and engaging in unlawful sexual behavior with a minor. The police detained Cortes at the offices of the St. Mary of the Nativity Catholic Church. Cortes is scheduled for arraignment this week.
In response to the accusations, the Monterey Diocese has suspended Cortes from his parochial duties. A spokesperson for the diocese said that Cortes has been the parish priest for St. Mary of the Nativity for over a year and that Cortes has been within the Monterey Diocese for about 12 years.
Child sexual abuse is not only criminal, it is a horribly devastating experience that the abused child must live with for the rest of his or her life. If you or a loved one has suffered at the hands of a Catholic priest, contact a clergy abuse lawyer at the Zalkin Law Firm today to get the legal help you need.
