Sexual Battery Investigation Update

On July 1, 2012, The Santa Monica Police Department began an investigation into allegations of sexual battery against Rafael Venegas, a priest at St. Anne’s Church located at 2017 Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica. 

The victim, who is a 20 year old adult female and not a parishioner of St. Anne’s, reported that the incident occurred on the property of St. Anne’s Parish in September 2011.   

The Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office received the case from investigators on July 26, 2012 at which time the City Attorney charged Rafael Venegas with one count of sexual battery under Penal Code section 243.4(e)(1) and one count of furnishing alcohol to a minor (under 21 years old) under Business and Professions Code section 25658(a).

On Monday July 30, 2012, Venegas, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself into the Santa Monica Police Department where he was booked on the above listed charges.  He was released after posting $20,000.00 bail.  His arraignment date is scheduled for Friday, August 3, 2012 in Division 147 of the LAX Court.    

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective DeRyck at (310) 458-8944, Sergeant Jacob at (310) 458-8460 or the Santa Monica Police Department (24hours) at (310) 458-8495.