Santa Monica Priest Surrenders in Sexual Battery Case

A priest accused of sexual battery was arrested and promptly posted bail Monday.

Rafael Raygoza Venegas, 38, was booked and charged with two misdemeanors, sexual battery and supplying alcohol to someone younger than 21. Arraignment is scheduled for Friday.

Accompanied by his attorney, Venegas came to the Santa Monica Police station Monday afternoon and surrendered after the Santa Monica City Attorney's office filed charges.

"He knew what were investigating" him for, said police Sgt. Richard Lewis.

"Usually when that happens, their attorney contacts us, contacts the [city attorney's office] and asks 'if you press charges against my client, let us know.’ They probably don't want him arrested in public," Lewis said.

The police department opened an investigation into allegations brought by a woman on July 1. The woman, who isn't a parishioner at the church, told police the incident occurred on church property near Colorado Avenue and 20th Street in September of last year.

The police department issued a press release on Thursday confirming its investigation into the allegations. 

St. Anne's Catholic Church is one of three parishes in Santa Monica and is a fixture in the Pico neighborhood. Venegas was appointed "administrator pro tempre" there on July 1, 2011, according to the church's website.

It referred requests for comment to attorney, Donald Steier, who has not returned messages.

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