FRANKLIN, TENN. - Juan Carlos Garcia-Mendoza, 31, of Franklin, is facing additional legal troubles following a Grand Jury's decision on June 5 to issue a superseding indictment. This latest indictment includes two more counts of alleged sexual battery against the former St. Philip Catholic Church priest.
Previously, in February, Garcia-Mendoza had been indicted on several charges: continuous abuse of a child, aggravated sexual battery, four counts of sexual battery by an authority figure, and two counts of sexual battery. These charges stem from incidents that allegedly took place between July 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. The victims include five individuals, four of whom were children aged 11 to 16 at the time of the alleged abuse.
Garcia-Mendoza, ordained in 2020, began his tenure at St. Philip in July 2022 after serving at Saint Rose of Lima in Murfreesboro. He is currently held in Williamson County Jail with a bond set at $2 million.
The Franklin Police Department urges anyone with information about Garcia-Mendoza to contact Detective Andrea Clark at andrea.clark@franklintn.gov or 615-550-6829. The prosecution of this case is being handled by the 21st Judicial District Office of the District Attorney General.
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