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Priest Pleads No Contest to Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material
By Gazette Staff Writers — Monday, October 14th, 2024
 Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara Long Beach VENTURA, Calif. – District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara (DOB 07/11/85), a priest in the Archdioceses of Los Angeles during the time of his crimes, pled no contest to one felony count of possession of child sexual abuse material. He also admitted all the charged special allegations, including that he possessed over 600 images of child sexual abuse material, including images and videos of prepubescent minors under the age of 12. A member of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, Martinez-Guevara was associated with several churches, including Our Lady of Guadalupe in Oxnard. “The defendant betrayed the law and the trust placed in him as a religious leader,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “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 became the focus of an investigation after dozens of reports were made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In April 2023, the Ventura County Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force (VC-CEHTTF) initiated an investigation of their own. Investigators determined Martinez-Guevara was in direct possession of over 600 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material. He was arrested on September 13, 2023. Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Wise, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Fraud and Technology Crimes Unit, prosecuted the case. “I am grateful for the cooperation of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit,” Mr. Wise said. “I am hopeful that Mr. Martinez-Guevara's acceptance of guilt today will be the first step in healing the hurt caused by his actions.” Martinez-Guevara is scheduled to be sentenced on December 9, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 48 of the Ventura County Superior Court. VC-CEHTTF is comprised of investigators and prosecutors with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Ventura County Sheriff's Office, Simi Valley Police Department, Oxnard Police Department, Ventura Police Department, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol, the FBI, and United States Attorney’s Office. The task force is committed to identifying, rescuing, and protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse through education, enforcement, and through partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies. Case: 2023024111 PC 311.11(a) – Possession or control of child pornography PC 311.11(c)(1) – Aggravated possession of child pornography, containing more than 600 images |
