Ex-Archdiocesan of LA priest is convicted of child pornography possession

A former Catholic priest who was with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at the time of his crimes has pleaded no contest to his possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The authorities announced this on Thursday.

Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara, 39, a member of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit affiliated with numerous churches, including Our Lady of Guadalupe in Oxnard, admitted to possessing more than 600 images of CSAM, including images and videos of prepubescent minors under the age of 12, according to a news release from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara is seen during his ordination in Oxnard, California on December 18, 2021 (Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish)

He has since been removed from the ministry by the archdiocese and its command, an archdiocese spokesperson told KTLA shortly after his arrest last year.

Prosecutors say the 39-year-old became the target of an investigation after dozens of reports were made to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The Ventura County Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force launched its own investigation into Martinez Guevara in April 2023.

Martinez-Guevara was arrested on September 13, 2023, and search warrants were served at the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit in Long Beach, where he lived.

The religious institution is located next to St. Maria Goretti Church and its school.

Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara, 39. (VCDA)

“The defendant violated the law and the trust placed in him as a religious leader,” prosecutor Erik Nasarenko said. “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, regardless of their position or title.”

Martinez-Guevara pleaded no contest to possession of child pornography, along with special charges including:

• Aggravated possession of child pornography, with more than 600 images

• The crime involved a large amount of contraband

• The victim was vulnerable

• The manner in which the crime was committed indicates planning, sophistication, or professionalism

“I am grateful for the cooperation of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Howard Wise, who prosecuted the case. “I am hopeful that Mr. Martinez-Guevara’s guilty plea today will be the first step in healing the pain caused by his actions.”

The 39-year-old is expected to be sentenced on December 9.