Court documents: Former priest abused girl for nearly a decade

El Paso Police arrested a former Catholic priest and charged him with sexual abuse of a minor allegedly committed while he was a priest.

ABC-7 obtained new court documents Friday morning that reveal details about how Miguel Luna, 68, came into contact with the victim, who is now 36 years old.

Detectives with the Department’s Crimes Against Children unit conducted an investigation after the victim came forward and said the former priest abused her as a child.

The victim told investigators she was an alter server at local parishes within the Catholic Diocese of El Paso.

Only eight years old at the time, the victim said Luna began kissing her “passionately” during confessionals. Between the ages of 10 and 13, Luna allegedly touched her breasts and sexually assaulted her.

The victim recalled Luna telling her “remember this is confession so whatever happens in here stays in here.”

When she was 12 years old, the victim said Luna forcefully sexually assaulted her. The victim said she felt pain and bled after the incident.

She added that Luna continued having sex with her until she was 17 years old. The former priest reportedly had a close relationship with the victim’s mother.

Luna is charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.

Police said the alleged assaults occurred over the span of several years in the early through late 90’s and ended when the victim moved away.

Luna was arrested in front of his residence at the 3500 block of Keltner on Monday, June 11, 2018.

In August 2017, the Catholic Diocese of El Paso announced it had alerted El Paso Police that Luna admitted to sexual misconduct with a young girl in the 1980s. The victim reached out to the diocese in November of 2016, and the Diocese conducted an investigation.

“It is directly contradictory to the sacrificial love to which a priest has committed himself before God,” Bishop Mark Seitz said at the time. “I am deeply sorry for the pain caused by these actions of Miguel Luna, and ask those who know of other situations of misconduct or abuse to please inform law enforcement and the Diocese.”

Luna was removed from ministry back in 2013. The Diocese said Luna was ordained July 1, 1982. Here is where Luna has served:

Blessed Sacrament Corpus Christi Our Lady of Assumption Our Lady of Peace — Alpine San Antonio De Padua San Lorenzo St. Joseph Mission — Fort Davis St. Mary Mission — Marathon St. Matthew St. Pius X St. Thomas Aquina St. Thomas/St. Joseph — Kermit

The Diocese of El Paso said it is reaching out to all of its parishes to learn if there any more potential victims.

Luna was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $50,000 bond.

Crimes Against Children detectives are asking anyone who may have information as a victim or witness of abuse by Luna to contact them at (915) 212-0382.