A woman came forward alleging that the Catholic priest who performed her confessions throughout her childhood had abused her sexually beginning when she was 8 and continuing over several years.
68-year-old Miguel Luna served as a priest in 12 Catholic churches throughout El Paso, Texas, since he was ordained in 1982. Although Luna has not served as a clergyman since his position was taken in 2013, he has been accused of sexually abusing an 8-year-old girl who took confession from him for many years during the time that he was a priest.
A woman who is now 34-years-old came forward with the claim in 2016 and named Luna as her abuser when she reported that she had been victimized as a child while she was attending the Catholic Church that Luna was serving. The woman also was said to have acted as an altar person during masses during the time that she was a young parishioner.
In the woman’s testimony she stated that when she was 8-years-old and in the confessional with Luna, he began kissing her and told her that what happens during confession should remain private and stay within the booth.
When the girl was age 10 she said that Luna escalated his physical contact by touching her in a sexual way, specifically naming her breasts as an area that he focused on during the events.
Near the time that the alleged victim turned 13, she said that Luna forced her to have sexual intercourse and he continued the non-consensual abuse until she was 17-years-old. The mother of the victim reportedly shared a close friendship with Luna, and the alleged sex acts only stopped after the young woman moved out of the area.
In 2016, after the victim reported the sexual abuse, an investigation into Luna was opened which resulted in his arrest on June 11 on suspicion of the claims.
After being booked Luna was charged with 11 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, and he is being held in lieu of $50,000 bond.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a sexual offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.