Judge advances 24 felony child molestation charges against former priest
Judge advances case involving four alleged child victims
– A San Luis Obispo County Superior Court judge has found sufficient evidence to hold former priest Theodore Edward Gabrielli, 62, to answer on 24 felony counts involving the alleged molestation of four children, according to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Dan Dow announced Friday that Judge Jesse Marino made the ruling following a four-day preliminary hearing. Prosecutors said they are considering filing additional charges they believe were proven during the hearing.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, four victims, who are now adults, testified during the hearing. The alleged offenses span from 1991 through 2010 and occurred in six California counties.
“This ruling affirms that there is sufficient evidence for these serious allegations to be fully heard in court,” Dow said. “Cases involving the sexual abuse of children leave lasting harm, and our office is committed to holding offenders accountable regardless of when these crimes occurred. We recognize the courage it takes for victims to come forward, and we will continue to stand with them in the pursuit of justice. I also want to thank our law enforcement partners for their careful and thorough work in bringing this case forward.”
A preliminary hearing is a court proceeding in which a judge determines whether there is sufficient evidence, known as probable cause, to require a defendant to stand trial. When a judge finds sufficient evidence, the defendant is held to answer and the case proceeds on a criminal information.
Gabrielli is scheduled to return to court July 14 in Department 8 of the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse for arraignment on the criminal information.
The defendant remains in custody at the San Luis Obispo County Jail without bail.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with assistance from the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation. Chief Deputy District Attorney Lisa B. Muscari of the Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit is prosecuting the case. Victim services were provided by victim advocate Tristan Milledge.
The charges are allegations, and Gabrielli is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
