Bishop Pleads ‘Guilty’ To Drug & Gun Possession
RIVERSIDE – A self-proclaimed American Catholic bishop accused of possessing illegal drugs for sale did an about-face today in court, switching his plea to guilty on four felony charges and a misdemeanor count.
Bishop Anthony Martinez Garduno, 51, was arrested Dec. 29, after an investigation determined he was selling methamphetamine and in possession of other drugs, including the “date rape” narcotic GHB, according to Riverside County sheriff’s detectives.
The detectives said they also found evidence allegedly linking Garduno to one or more sexual assaults at his Home Gardens church, Our Lady of Tepeyac, at 13462 Magnolia Ave. But to date, he has not been charged with any sex-related counts.
Garduno entered a not guilty plea last Thursday to two counts of possessing a controlled substance and one count each of possessing a controlled substance for sale, receiving stolen property and unlawfully holding a prescription medication — Lorazepam — which is a misdemeanor.
However, during a felony settlement conference today, Garduno’s attorney notified Judge Gordon Burkhart that the defendant wanted to change his plea.
Burkhart advised Garduno of his right to a jury trial, but the bishop waived the privilege and pleaded guilty to all counts.
District Attorney’s Office spokesman John Hall said the prosecutor assigned to handle the case was not there, suggesting the D.A.’s office had no advance knowledge Garduno planned to switch his plea.
Hall said the D.A.’s office may release a statement on the case after Garduno’s sentencing hearing, set for March 1.
The county Probation Department is expected to complete a pre-sentencing report in the next eight weeks. The contents of that report could determine whether Garduno receives the maximum sentence of four years, four months in prison.
The status of the investigation into the alleged sexual assaults was unclear.
According to authorities, a young man accused the clergyman of sexually assaulting him at age 17, prompting an investigation that began on Dec. 21. The alleged victim told investigators he knew of other boys who allegedly had been assaulted.
In September, Garduno was shot outside his church when he interrupted an apparent burglary. He surprised five suspects, one of whom opened fire, according to the sheriff’s department.
The suspects had allegedly been on a 10-hour robbery spree targeting Denny’s and IHOP restaurants in Los Angeles and Riverside counties, according to sheriff’s investigators.
Willis Webb Bagley, 38, of Perris; Jacob Zachary Buschow, 19, of Pomona; Anthony Brian Coleman, 21, of Chino; Timothy William Jacquemain, 18, of Pomona; and Andrew Blake Swindle, 23, of Pomona, are all being prosecuted on attempted murder and robbery charges.
Their trial is slated to begin in March.
Garduno is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.
