A former Tennessee priest, Juan Carlos Garcia, also known as Juan Carlos Garcia-Mendoza, has been indicted on additional charges of sexual battery, according to authorities. The Catholic Diocese of Nashville previously removed Garcia from his position as an associate pastor at St. Philip Catholic Church in Franklin after a teenager reported inappropriate touching by the priest.
In February, the Williamson County Grand Jury indicted Garcia on five counts, including continuous sexual abuse of a child, aggravated sexual battery, sexual battery by an authority figure, and two counts of sexual battery. A superseding indictment was issued on June 5, adding two more counts of sexual battery.
The 31-year-old priest is 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.
The case is being prosecuted by the 21st Judicial District District Attorney General’s Office, and victims are encouraged to follow this link for additional resources.
