FRESNO - The Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin and a former priest were accused of sexual abuse by 10 anonymous plaintiffs.
The complaint was filed on April 19 in the Fresno County Superior Court by 10 Fresno County residents and parishioners of the defendant Diocese.
Defendant Jesus Antonio Castaneda Serna was an ordained minister from 1997 to 2005 in Washington before being removed from ministry and approved for laicization, the suit says.
Despite being removed from the clergy, defendant Serna was ordained by the defendant Diocese, the suit says.
During his time at the Diocese from 2008 to 2017, Serna is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing the 10 plaintiffs.
The defendants are charged with sexual battery, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, negligent hiring, supervision and retention and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The plaintiffs are represented by Stammer, McKnight, Barnum and Bailey LLP.