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Santa Monica Priest Arrested For Alleged Sexual Battery

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SANTA MONICA (CBS) — A Santa Monica priest Monday turned himself in to police and was arrested amid sexual battery allegations.

Police began investigating the Rev. Rafael Venegas of Saint Anne’s Church July 1 when a 20-year-old woman reported she was attacked by Venegas and also given alcohol in September 2011.

The victim is not a parishioner at the church.

Investigators turned the results of their investigation over to the City Attorney’s Office, who charged Venegas with a count of sexual battery and another count of furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Venegas was released from jail after posting $20,000 bail. He’s expected to be arraigned Friday.

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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  • http://atheisthobos.com/2012/08/05/arrested-developments-6/ Arrested Developments « Atheist Hobos

    [...] Rev. Rafael Venegas can use that as a defense?  He could state that no one would be claiming sexual battery if he were [...]

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