A priest from the Diocese of Nashville has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual abuse, including charges involving children and adults, and will serve seven years in prison.
Fr. Juan Carlos Garcia-Mendoza, who had been serving in a parish in the diocese, was first indicted in 2023 following allegations of abuse brought forward by a teenager in his parish. According to The Nashville Catholic, Garcia pleaded guilty to charges filed in February 2024, including “continuous sexual abuse of a child,” aggravated sexual battery, and “sexual battery by an authority figure.”
The Franklin Police Department confirmed Garcia’s guilty plea in a public post on July 15, writing on X, “Thanks to our detectives and the District AG’s Office for their hard work on this case.”
In total, Garcia was charged with eight crimes in February and two additional charges in June 2024. The Diocese of Nashville said it first became aware of the accusations in November 2023 when “a teen in the parish had made a report of improper touching” by the priest. The diocese immediately reported the incident to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services and launched an internal investigation, hiring a former FBI agent to oversee the process.
The Vatican was informed and “involved from the outset of this matter,” according to The Nashville Catholic, and has been overseeing the canonical proceedings related to the case.
In addition to his prison sentence, Garcia will be listed in the Tennessee state sex offender registry. The diocese also confirmed that Garcia “agreed not to contest laicization from the priesthood,” signaling that he will be removed from clerical ministry.
The Diocese of Nashville reiterated its commitment to protecting the faithful and working with authorities. “We continue to pray for all survivors of abuse and for healing within our Church,” the diocesan statement said.
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