Priest in Nampa, Idaho, Pleads Guilty to One Count of Sexual Battery of Minor

Robert Mendez Esquivel, 45, also known as “Father Toto,” was arrested on a Wednesday and booked into the Canyon County Jail on charges of sexual battery of a minor between the ages of 16 and 17, according to Local News 8 and idahopress.com. The Nampa Police Department confirmed the arrest on Thursday. Idaho Press reported that Esquivel was detained in late August under an arrest warrant related to child sexual battery charges. The reports do not fully align on the timing of the arrest, and the source material does not resolve that difference.

Idaho Press identified Esquivel as a priest at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Nampa and reported that he had been an associate pastor there and a member since 2022. The Diocese of Boise’s website, as cited by Idaho Press, lists him as involved in ministries called “Courage and Encourage.” Local News 8 reported that he previously served as chaplain for ministries, though the source material does not name them in that report. Police said the alleged incident did not involve a juvenile from the church or its affiliated school. The Diocese of Boise said it is cooperating with law enforcement and had immediately removed Esquivel from all priestly duties. The church and the diocese said they are fully cooperating with investigators. Police said the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with additional information to contact Crime Stoppers.

The accounts differ on the charges. Idaho Press reported that Esquivel initially faced charges including rape and two counts of sexual battery of a minor. Local News 8 reported that he faced one count of sexual battery against a minor, and the Idaho Press arrest report described a single charge of sexual battery of a minor. Each of these descriptions reflects a charge as reported at that stage, and none has been tested in court.

Idaho Press reported that Esquivel entered a guilty plea inside a Canyon County courthouse on a Tuesday afternoon. The plea addressed one count of sexual battery, and the other charges were dropped. Because of the plea, the jury trial was vacated. Prosecutors, according to Idaho Press, claim that Esquivel intentionally met a victim through the Grindr dating app before the alleged assault. These are the prosecution’s claims as reported, not findings of fact by a court.

Idaho Press also reported that Esquivel admitted to engaging in oral sex with the 16-year-old victim and called it “the worst mistake in my life.” The diocese’s immediate removal of Esquivel from all priestly duties reflects a duty to protect the vulnerable (Proverbs 31:8-9). Sentencing is scheduled for April 1.