St. John Bosco/ Facebook
CV NEWS FEED // The Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio, recently suspended a worship director after he was arrested on charges of rape, two counts of sexual battery, and two counts of unlawful sex with a minor.
FOX8 reported that the Cuyahoga County grand jury on Feb. 25 indicted Andres Andino, 59, the worship director at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Parma Heights and part-time employee at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Avon Lake.
Andino was arrested March 16, according to a statement from the Diocese of Cleveland to FOX8. A diocesan spokesperson said the diocese and the leaders of the related parishes “were shocked and dismayed to learn of the arrest of a parish employee, Andres Andino, Sunday evening, March 16, on very serious and troubling charges.”
The indictment alleges that Andino committed the offense between 2013 and 2018, when the victim was between 13 and 16 years old. Andino was in a position of authority over the victim.
In the statement to FOX8, the diocese added: “We have taken steps to ensure that any parish or school at which he was volunteering within the diocese has suspended his volunteer activity. We pray that the legal process reveals the truth and that justice is served.”
Andino pleaded not guilty in court on March 19, posting a $50,000 bond March 20. He will appear in court again on March 26.
The diocese told FOX8 that Andino is on unpaid leave from both of his positions.
