A Catholic priest in Northwest Washington has been found guilty of sexually abusing an adult woman, US Attorney Matthew Graves and DC Police Chief Robert Contee announced on Tuesday, November 30.
The 49-year-old priest, identified as Urbano Vazquez of DC, has been sentenced by Judge Juliet McKenna to 180 days in prison, which is the maximum sentence, after a one-day trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
According to a release from the US Attorney’s Office, the incident took place in April 2017, with Vazquez touching the unidentified parishioner’s chest over her sweater without her consent two times, during a confession at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Columbia Heights.
In addition, the priest reportedly made comments about the woman’s appearance and marital status.
Vazquez is currently serving a 15-year sentence he received in 2019 on four felony counts of sexual abuse involving two children in his parish between 2015 and 2017. The new 180-day incarceration will consecutively follow the time he is serving at the moment.
People who have been subjected to sexual abuse by a clergy member in a house of worship, school, or another location in Washington, DC are encouraged to call (202) 252-7008 or e-mail USADC.ReportClergyAbuse@usdoj.gov to report the incident.
More information for sexual abuse survivors is available at this link.