Philadelphia Priest Arrested for Sexual Assault and Other Charges
A Philadelphia priest was arrested for sexual assault while serving at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in the Andorra section of Philadelphia. On Monday, after the arrest, Reverend Armand Garcia was summoned to court on charges of sexual assault, intent to photograph or film unlawful acts, and corruption of minors that took place between the years of 2014 and 2017. The assault apparently occurred in August 2014 and was reported to the police in March 2018 upon which the Archdiocese of Philadelphia placed him on administrative leave. He was restricted from performing Sacraments and cannot publicly proclaim that he is a priest. Since his ordination in 2005, Garcia served in several parishes throughout the region and recently moved to St. Martin of Tours in 2017 before charges were brought upon him.
Before the time that the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report and the New Jersey reports appeared, accounts of clergy abuse hid in plain sight within the Catholic community. Denials, dismissals, and moving abusive priests from one parish or school to another substituted the call for penalties and retribution against the perpetrators. Survivors of clergy abuse and current victims deserve justice after enduring the shame and trauma they experienced resulting from the abuse.
If you or someone you love faced horrific abuse by a clergy member, our New Jersey clergy abuse lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr will provide the legal counsel you need to file a strong claim against your abuser. To schedule a free case review, call us today at 732-537-8570 or toll-free at 877-249-4600 or contact us online. We proudly serve clients throughout New Jersey and in the communities of New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Edison, South River, Sayreville, Metuchen, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Fords, Middlesex, Old Bridge, Iselin, Bound Brook, Perth Amboy, and Colonia.
