Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Priest facing criminal charges placed in monastery

Anaheim city attorneys also agreed to a plea bargain with Rev. Luis Eduardo Ramirez – who was bailed out by his religious order after taking a youth to a motel room.

A Roman Catholic priest facing criminal charges for taking an unaccompanied youth to a motel room was removed from his Santa Ana parish and placed in an area monastery pending his sentencing today in the case.

The Rev. Luis Eduardo Ramirez, a member of the Augustinian Recollects order who has worked at Our Lady of the Pillar parish since 2003, was arrested by Anaheim police Jan. 8 on suspicion of child annoyance or molestation and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The case has not been publicized, other than a diocese announcement in the church bulletin.

Ramirez was arrested after taking to a motel room a 17-year-old boy whose mother asked Ramirez to counsel, said his attorney Gary Pohlson.

He was bailed out by his order, and pleaded guilty in June to misdemeanor battery and burglary -- a charge allowed when a building is used in the commission of a crime. The misdemeanor charges of child annoyance, delinquency and furnishing alcohol to a minor were dismissed.

Pohlson said there were not enough facts to sustain the misdemeanor annoyance/molestation count.

He also said about 2,000 parishioners have written letters of support for the priest – some that Pohlson intends to bring to court today.

“He crossed boundaries but there are not enough facts to suggest he did anything sexual,â€