by | Published
The Rev. George Mbugua Ndungu, 42, also known as Father Wanjiru, a Roman Catholic Priest, has been charged with aggravated sexual assault, according to authorities. The charges come after a church employee and a parishioner reported the priest to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio.
Ndungu, a native of Kenya, has been assigned to various Catholic churches in Bexar County since 2017. The churches he served in include:
It remains unclear why church officials repeatedly reassigned Ndungu to different churches.
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) initiated an investigation on September 19, 2023, following information provided by the archdiocese. They had hired a private investigator to look into claims of inappropriate behavior.
Following the accusation, Ndungu was reassigned from the church, and a statement was issued to parishioners in case anyone else had additional claims. Subsequently, an employee of St. Rose Lima Catholic Church, distinct from the initial accuser, reported that Ndungu had engaged in inappropriate behavior towards her.
The elderly woman, who is in her 70s, alleged that Ndungu had sexually assaulted her on three separate occasions, starting in November 2022. Sheriff Javier Salazar described Ndungu as a "sexual predator" and stated that the woman had confided in him for spiritual guidance. She was considered vulnerable due to certain life circumstances.
Sheriff Salazar further noted that Ndungu had "very much groomed this victim, gained her confidence."
Authorities believe that there may be additional victims and encourage anyone with information to contact the Bexar County Sheriff's Office at 210-335-6000.
