Father Anthony Martinez Garduno
Ordained: 1990
Removed: 1995
Assigned as follows:
- 1991-1992: Holy Family Church (Hesperia, CA)
- 1993-1994: St. Edward Church (Corona, CA)
- 1995: Absent on Leave
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Anthony Martinez Garduno:
According to media reports, in December 1993, Fr. Anthony Martinez Garduno (nicknamed Father Tony) was accused of sexual misconduct with an adult. He allegedly asked the man to strip and show him his genitals during a pre-marriage counseling session at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Corona, California. He denied any wrongdoing and then was put on administrative leave and sent for treatment. Parishioners protested his departure and tried to get him back in April 1994. He was never charged with a crime.
While on leave in December 1994, Garduno filed a lawsuit against the Diocese of San Bernardino for slander, alleging that the man had made false allegations because Garduno planned to recommend against the marriage. He eventually dropped the suit. In 1995, he was "removed from the clerical state" after a Church trial found him guilty of heresy because he founded his own church, the All Nations Catholic sect. He later went on to become a bishop in that sect.
According to media reports, in September 2009, he was shot in a robbery attempt, outside Our Lady of Tepeyac in Home Gardens, an All Nations church. He survived but was arrested soon after, in December when it was alleged that he sexually abused a 17-year-old boy in 2005, and had been selling drugs out of the church. His accuser said he knew of other minor victims that had been sexually assaulted there. He pleaded guilty to selling drugs and keeping a stolen pistol. In March 2010, he was sentenced to two years in prison.
His current whereabouts, status as a priest, and whether he has access to children are unknown.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of San Bernardino. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in San Bernardino, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of San Bernardino now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an email to adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.