Gustavo Benson
Ordination: 1972
Assignments:
- 1973-1975: St. John Church, Encinitas, CA
- 1976-1977: St. Mary Church, Oceanside, CA
- 1978: Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Bernardino, CA
- 1979-1983: San Salvador Church, Colton, CA
- 1984: Immaculate Conception, Colton, CA
- 1985: St. Joseph Church, Barstow, CA
- 1986: St. Philip Neri Church, Barstow, CA
- 1987: On Leave
- 1988-1991: On Duty Outside the Diocese
- 1992-2018: Unknown
Notes: Fr. Gustavo Benson was charged with sexually abusing an altar boy in 1987 while he was at St. Joseph Church in Barstow, to which he pleaded no contest and was sentenced to three years probation. After being sentenced to probation, Fr. Benson was allegedly moved to Mexico. Four years later, Fr. Benson was allegedly moved to the Tijuana Diocese, which was allegedly warned about Fr. Benson’s history of sexual abuse, but nevertheless incardinated him. In 2004, Fr. Benson was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old altar boy while working in Colton in 1985. As of 2010, Fr. Benson was believed to be an active priest in Ensenada, Mexico. Fr. Benson was included in the Diocese of San Diego’s list of priests where the Diocese has received a credible allegation involving sexual abuse of a minor. He was also included in the Diocese of San Bernardino’s list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse. According to the Diocese of San Bernardino, Fr. Benson was removed from the priesthood. Fr. Benson was believed to be residing in Tucson, Arizona as of 2017. His current whereabouts and whether he has access to children are unknown.