North Texas Catholic priest arrested for indecency with a child

GARLAND – A Catholic priest is in the Garland Detention Center after police arrested him on two counts of indecency with a child.

Garland police said in a news release they arrested 34-year-old Ricardo Reyes Mata on Monday after receiving reports of “inappropriate contact with two juvenile victims” at a residence in the city.

According to Garland PD, Reyes is a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. Reyes is not listed on the diocese’s website, but a diocese spokesperson told CBS News Texas that he works at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dallas. An archived biography page indicates he was ordained in June 2022, at which time he was assigned to St. Jude Parish in Allen.

According to Garland PD, investigators are communicating with the Diocese of Dallas. The department is also asking anyone with information about other potential victims to call 972-485-4840.

CBS News Texas received the following statement from the Diocese of Dallas:

The Diocese of Dallas was recently made aware of a teenage girl’s allegations of inappropriate touching by a priest. There were no reports of inappropriate activity on diocesan property.

When diocesan officials learned of the allegation last week, they immediately filed reports with Child Protective Services and law enforcement. The priest was immediately removed from all public positions when the Dallas Diocese learned of the allegation.

“We are grateful for the thorough response of law enforcement,” said Bishop Edward J. Burns of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. “Let us come together in prayer, respecting the dignity of all involved, and seeking strength and guidance through our faith during this challenging time.”

We take all allegations of misconduct seriously. In the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, the safety and well-being of everyone is of the utmost importance. Anyone with information should call Garland police.

Editor’s note: This post has been updated to clarify that Reyes worked at the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe until his arrest. He previously served at St. Jude Parish in Allen.