Former Los Angeles Catholic Priest Arrested in Texas

Los Angeles: On November 26, 2002, at the request of Los Angeles Police Department detectives, officials with Swisher County Sheriff’s Department (Texas) went to the home of 47 year-old Father John Anthony Salazar of Kress, Texas and arrested him. The arrest took place without incident and Salazar was booked at Swisher County Jail. Salazar was booked on a Los Angeles arrest warrant and bail was set at $125,000.00. An extradition hearing is pending.
Allegations were reported to LAPD’s Sexually Exploited Child Unit in April 2002, when multiple victims reported sexual abuse as children (in the 1980’s) when they attended Saint Bernard’s and Saint Teresita Churches in Los Angeles.
Judge William Pounders issued an arrest warrant for Salazar charging one count of 288A (b) (1) PC, Oral Copulation of a Person Under 18, and one count of 288A (b) (2) PC, Oral Copulation of a person under 16.
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.