In the face of adversity, there is an opportunity for reformation. The Diocese of Sacramento’s bankruptcy filing is not the culmination of its tribulations but a step toward atonement and reconciliation. As we reflect on this development, let it be a reminder of the power of accountability and the enduring spirit of resilience.Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Sacramento in California. Our law firm has prepared and cataloged a comprehensive list of Diocese of Sacramento clergy accused of sexual abuse. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in one of California's Catholic dioceses, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Sacramento have legal options. Very strict filing deadlines will be set by the Bankruptcy Court, so please contact us to discuss your case today. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in California and nationwide. We can help. Contact us at 888-283-9922 or email adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.]]>
• The Missing Car Dilemma: Your spouse inquires about the whereabouts of your car, and you respond with "Not around here." This answer is evasive and unhelpful, showing a disregard for the concern at hand.
• Holiday Plans Inquiry: When asked about your holiday plans, replying with "Not around here" lacks transparency and fails to satisfy the asker's curiosity or concern.
• Serious Health Concerns: If a doctor queries about your travel history in light of a contagious virus diagnosis, "Not around here" is dangerously inadequate. It trivializes the gravity of the situation and obstructs necessary precautionary measures.
In all these instances, the non-specific responses are unsatisfactory and irresponsible. This analogy closely mirrors the critical issue within the Catholic Church regarding the handling of predator priests.• A Desire to Hide Something: When church officials say a priest is "outside the diocese," it often implies they're trying to conceal the priest's location to prevent scrutiny. • A Perceived Lack of Deservingness: At times, there's an arrogant assumption that the questioner doesn't "deserve" to know, reinforcing a power imbalance. • Avoidance of Hassle: Sometimes, it's simply a matter of not wanting to deal with the aftermath of being transparent. • Fear of Consequences: The most critical reason is the apprehension that if the predator's current location is revealed, it could lead to legal actions, financial losses, and public embarrassment for the Church.
“I’m never gonna judge you the way you thought I would. You’re one of the best students I’ve had, so I can’t judge you, but you’re not just a student at this point.” According to the complaint, Bastidas texted the victim on or around Aug. 3.
Victim's reply: “I know that now. Ever since I’ve gotten to know you, I’ve known that. You’re the best teacher I’ve had but do you also rlly think you’re just my teacher at this point? Cuz you haven’t been just my teacher for a while now, you been so much more and have meant so much more,” the victim responded through text message,” the complaint stated.
On Sept. 23, 2023, authorities said Bastidas had the following conversation through text message with the victim:
“I’ll always love you. I need you. I wanna love you,” he wrote. Bastidas went on to say " I want you to touch your body. I want my body on yours, I want to f--- you.”
“I’ll always love you too, I need you so much, and I want your love, I wanna give you my love,” the victim responded.
The complaint states that on Oct. 25, 2023, Bastidas sent the victim an email describing how he felt about her.
Prior to school starting last August, the victim and Bastidas discussed meeting up to discuss their feelings towards each other; she told detectives. The victim told authorities that they met at a Dunkin’ in Monarch Lakes, where they had their first kiss, the report stated. The victim admitted that she took photos of herself and would send them to Bastidas, authorities said. The complaint also alleges that Bastidas had the victim perform oral sex on him on multiple occasions, including in the parking lot of the victim’s job in Miramar.
The victim told the FBI that Bastidas had sexual intercourse multiple times with her during the school’s Model United Nations field trip to New York, where he was her chaperone, the complaint stated. The victim also stated that Bastidas would often give her gifts that included jewelry, T-shirts, and a keychain, which were photographed by the FBI.
"As a mother and a believer in Christ, I am filing this lawsuit to expose a broken system and provoke change at Ignite Life Center. I've experienced firsthand what this type of negligence does to a young life, our household, and the people closest to us. It has been devastating, and the wounds it has caused have cut very deep. I hope this lawsuit holds Ignite Life Center and the Assemblies of God Church accountable for their poor decisions, bad behavior, and, most importantly, the lives they have damaged. Because of the carelessness of this leadership, some of these children may never recover, and some will never return to church again."
Jessica Arbour, an attorney at Horowitz Law representing the three plaintiffs, said, "The abuse of children within a close-knit church community is devastating to those children, their families, and to an entire community faced with the idea that their church leaders have not always lived up to their word that children are safe and protected. I applaud these brave young men for coming forward to break the silence on their experience, and for living their biblical teachings: what is done in the dark will always come to light." Hemenez was arrested for abusing these three Plaintiffs, as well as a fourth boy, in July 2023. Last week, he pled guilty to sexually abusing two of the boys in Alachua County as part of a plea deal with prosecutors to avoid trial. He was sentenced to five years in prison, followed by eight years of sex offender probation and supervision. He will also be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life. Christian Vargas, another church leader and son of head pastors Mark and Lisa Vega, was also arrested for sexually abusing multiple children at the church last year. In recent weeks, Noel Cruz, a church leader and son of assistant pastor Joey Cruz, was arrested for sexually abusing a child as well. For more information about our cases against Ignite Life Center and the Florida Multicultural District, contact Adam Horowitz or Jessica Arbour by email or by calling (954) 641-2100. The lawyers at Horowitz Law represent children and adults who are survivors of sexual abuse by priests, ministers, rabbis, deacons, nuns, and other clergy members in civil lawsuits. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual abuse or sexual assault at a church or other religious organization, please contact us at 954-641-2100 or send us an email. ]]>