Former Tennessee priest facing more sexual battery charges

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — A former Franklin priest who was removed from ministry back in January and then indicted on multiple charges in February has been indicted on additional counts of sexual battery, according to officials.

The Catholic Diocese of Nashville said Rev. Juan Carlos Garcia was an associate pastor at St. Philip Catholic Church in Franklin, but he was removed from his position and from active ministry while the Franklin Police Department investigated a teen’s report of improper touching involving the priest.

On Feb. 9, the diocese announced Garcia had been indicted by the Williamson County Grand Jury on one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, one count of aggravated sexual battery, four counts of sexual battery by an authority figure, and two counts of sexual battery.

Nearly four months later, on June 5, the grand jury returned a superseding indictment, charging the former priest — now referred to by police as Juan Carlos Garcia-Mendoza — with two additional counts of sexual battery.

As of Friday, June 14, the 31-year-old is reportedly being held in the Williamson County Jail on a $2 million bond.

Anyone with additional information regarding the former priest is urged to contact Detective Andrea Clark with the Franklin Police Department at 615-476-2809 or andrea.clark@franklintn.gov.

According to officials, the case is being prosecuted by the District Attorney General’s Office for the 21st Judicial District. For additional information about victim resources, follow this link.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese of Nashville has yet to address the additional charges from the latest indictment.