Father Julio Guarin-Sosa arrested on charges of molestation of a minor, sexual battery and illegal entry in Yuba City.
SUTTER COUNTY, CA - Immigration officials have taken custody of a visiting priest accused of kissing a 16-year-old girl.
Father Julio Guarin-Sosa was charged last week with felony false imprisonment, misdemeanor sexual battery and misdemeanor annoying or molesting a minor in connection with a March 9 incident in the bedroom of a home in Yuba City. He had been invited to the home to say a private mass.
STORY: Visiting priest arrested on sex allegations in Yuba City
Guarin-Sosa pleaded not guilty to the charges Friday.
Tuesday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement moved Guarin-Sosa to Sacramento from the Sutter County Jail where he was being held on an immigration hold.
Last week, ICE spokesperson Virginia Kice said Guarin-Sosa, who is from Colombia, was in the U.S. on a visa to visit, not work as a priest, which is why the agency took custody of him. Tuesday, Kice said Guarin-Sosa was expected to face an immigration hearing before a judge.
Guarin-Sosa was serving in the ministry at St. Anne's Church in Stockton at the time of the Yuba City accusations.
Should Guarin-Sosa be deported, Sutter County Deputy District Attorney Cameron King said his office would issue a warrant for the priest's arrest.
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