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Investigators are seeking the public’s help in finding additional victims of priests accused of sexually abused children.
The Rev. Jaime Ariaga Pedroza, 41, was arrested Thursday the day after the Archdiocese of Los Angeles was reported to authorities that “alleged sexual misconduct involving minors,” church officials said in a statement.
“The Archdiocese has a long-standing commitment to protecting minors and reporting and preventing abuse,” a church official said in a statement. “All allegations of misconduct against anyone working in the Archdiocese will be reported to law enforcement, fully investigated, and under a zero-tolerance policy, anyone found to have hurt a minor will be permanently removed from all the capabilities of the Archdiocese.”
Rev. Jaime Arriaga-Pedroza is seen in images provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on April 3, 2025. This image of the pastor Jaime Arriaga is from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and dated in 2024.
Ariaga Pedrosa, who was appointed last June and served in Our Lady of the Catholic Church in Downey and Our Lady of St. Louis, of the French Catholic Church in Lapuente, is accused of sexually abusing the girl on March 22, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The age of the child has not been disclosed.
According to prison records, Ariaga Pedroza is being held without bail at the Men’s Central Prison, and he is scheduled to appear in Los Angeles City Court on June 5th.
California priest has been arrested for sexual misconduct with a minor
He faces eight felony counts related to sexual abuse, officials said, and detectives believe there may be other victims who have not yet made progress.
Anyone with information will be asked to call 877-710-LASD (5273) or the Sergeant’s Office of LASD Special Victims. Joseph Cerda, 213-264-8732.
To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
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