Catholic Priest Arrested in Kennewick, Washington, on Alleged Third-Degree Rape Charge

Kennewick Police Department officers arrested Rev. Tomás Vázquez Téllez, 49, on September 7, according to Monsignor Robert Siler of the Yakima Diocese, who confirmed the arrest. Vázquez was booked into the Benton County Jail on suspicion of third-degree rape with an aggravating factor of being a person of trust. These are allegations and suspicion at this stage. The source reports do not describe any formal charge, plea, or court outcome.

According to the woman who reported the incident, she and Vázquez had developed a friendship over the past few years, including lunches and dinners together, and she regarded him as a confidant. She reported that the alleged rape occurred after a dinner at a home owned by Vázquez. She said she left the home of her own accord after waking on the morning of August 20.

Yakima Diocese Bishop Joseph Tyson ordered Vázquez to cease all public ministry and barred him from leaving the country. Vázquez is also prohibited from contacting the woman who made the report. Restricting a priest’s public ministry while a complaint is pending reflects accountability for those entrusted with a position of trust (Luke 12:48).

Tyson said Vázquez is entitled to a presumption of innocence. According to Tyson, Vázquez will receive salary and benefits from the diocese while the criminal charges are resolved, and the church will not pay for his legal defenses. The second report confirms that Vázquez continues to receive salary and benefits but does not mention whether the diocese will fund his legal defense.

The second report adds that Vázquez must check in daily with another diocesan priest.