WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A former Franklin priest has pleaded guilty as charged to several child sex abuse charges.

According to Williamson County District Attorney General Stacey B. Edmonson, Juan Carlos Garcia Mendoza came to a guilty plea agreement and will serve seven years in federal prison.

In 2024, the Williamson County Grand Jury indicted Garcia Mendoza on a count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, one count of aggravated sexual battery, four counts of sexual battery by an authority figure and two counts of sexual battery.

Following his indictment, he was removed from his position as an associate pastor at St. Philip Catholic Church.

Court documents show Garcia Mendoza cannot have contact with the victims and will relinquish his role as a priest within the Roman Catholic Church. Once released from prison, he must register as a sex offender and be placed on community supervision for the rest of his life.

According to Edmonson, Franklin Police Department detective Andrea Clark led the investigation with the assistance of St. Philip Catholic Church and the Diocese of Nashville.

Deputy District Attorney Jennifer led the prosecution.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/former-franklin-catholic-priest-sentenced-on-child-sex-crimes/