Former priest Luis J. Barajas, 76, pleaded guilty to one count of gross sexual imposition after being accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl with cancer during a “blessing.”
The incident occurred while he was praying with the girl at her home in Westlake.
Barajas had a history of sexual misconduct allegations within the Catholic diocese in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and was previously arrested in 2019 on a felony count of misconduct with a minor.
He had been staying with local families in Lorain County, performing spiritual ceremonies for the Spanish-speaking population.
Barajas, who is a Colombian national, is scheduled for sentencing on February 27.
“He had been ‘acting in the capacity of trusted family friend and as church clergy’ at that time as well,” Westlake police Capt. Gerald Vogel wrote.
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