96th lawsuit against church alleges rape

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A.C.J. was only 10 or 11 years old at the time he says he was raped by Raymond Cepeda.

Guam – The Archdiocese of Agana and its agents, “priests,” are charged with the protecting children who are under their care and supervision but according to the latest lawsuit filed in District Court on Thursday, this was not the case.

The latest lawsuit was filed by A.C.J. who was about 10 or 11 years old when he alleges that now-defrocked priest Raymond Cepeda sexually molested and abused him. According to court documents, A.C.J. was an altar server at Santa Barbara Catholic Church in Dededo when Cepeda took him to the sacristy, began touching and rubbing his private area before raping him.

The complaint further states that the Archdiocese knew that Cepeda had sexually abused and molested A.C.J. and other minor children for years, alleging that the Archdiocese did nothing to prevent Cepeda from engaging in additional instances of sexual abuse.

This is now the 96th sex abuse lawsuit filed against the Archdiocese of Agana.

A.C.J. is seeking $5 million in damages.

 

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Jolene joined the PNC team in 2017, as a producer, co-anchor and investigative reporter covering law enforcement, courts and crimes. Notable coverage includes the Ehlert case, the Mark Torre Jr. trial, the Allan Agababa trial, exclusive pieces on the Life of a Drug Dealer/Addict, and Life behind bars...the story of Honofre Chargualaf and Kevin Cruz. In 2019, she was promoted to Assistant News Director and Lead Anchor. From 2015 to 2017 she served as Public Relations and Promotions Manager, for the Hotel Nikko Guam handling local radio and advertorial promotions, as well as produced and directed tv commercials for the hotel. Prior to this she worked with KUAM for three years as a reporter and segment host. She began her journalism career in 2012, working with Glimpses of Guam contributing to the Guam Business Magazine, R&R magazine, MDM magazine and the Marianas Business Journal.