By Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara, a former Catholic priest associated with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, has pleaded no contest to charges of possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and several special allegations, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.
Martinez-Guevara, 39, a member of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, admitted to possessing over 600 images of CSAM, including content depicting prepubescent minors under 12. The Archdiocese has since removed him from ministry.
The investigation began after numerous reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In April 2023, the Ventura County Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force launched its own inquiry, leading to Martinez-Guevara’s arrest on September 13, 2023.
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated, “The defendant betrayed the law, and the trust placed in him as a religious leader. Child sexual abuse material preys on the most vulnerable members of our society, and we will continue to ensure that anyone who engages in such heinous crimes is held accountable, no matter their position or title.”
Martinez-Guevara’s no contest plea includes special allegations of aggravated possession of child pornography, involvement of a large quantity of contraband, vulnerability of victims, and that the crime indicated planning, sophistication, or professionalism.
Senior Deputy DA Howard Wise, who prosecuted the case, expressed hope that Martinez-Guevara’s acceptance of guilt would be “the first step in healing the hurt caused by his actions.”
Sentencing is scheduled for December 9. This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation and the challenges faced by religious institutions in addressing such issues within their ranks.
