A Catholic priest serving at a church in Downey was apprehended Tuesday after being accused of raping a minor, according to LA County records.
Fr. Jaime Arriaga, 41, was removed from ministry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Downey after the allegation surfaced, the LA Archdiocese confirmed on Tuesday.
“The archdiocese has a long-standing commitment to the protection of minors and the reporting and prevention of abuse, ” the archdiocese said in a statement, adding that it reported Arriaga to law enforcement. The priest eventually surrendered to authorities.
The archdiocese, which reached an $880 million settlement over 1,354 child sexual abuse claims in October, stated that under its “zero-tolerance policy,” anyone who is “found to have harmed a minor” is permanently removed from his or her job.
According to county prison records, Arriaga, who was arraigned on Monday, remains in detention and is charged with rape.
The archdiocese acknowledged that Arriaga has been working as assistant pastor at the church since his ordination in June 2024.
If you have suffered misbehavior with Arriaga, please contact the archdiocese’s Office of Victims Assistance Ministry at (213) 637-7650 or toll-free at (800) 355-2545.
