Cameron County DA’s office investigating McAllen priest accused of sexual misconduct
By Mark Reagan
Posted: April 20, 2024
The Cameron County District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation into a McAllen priest who resigned after the Diocese of Brownsville on April 3 issued a statement that it had received an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor against the priest.
Attorneys representing Barrera previously released a lengthy statement denying the first sexual misconduct allegation, which reportedly occurred 35 years ago.
A timeline on the second allegation was not released.
The district attorney’s office did not say in the statement whether it was investigating the first allegation.
In the statement, Barrera’s attorneys also alleged he was slandered because the allegation was quickly made public.
They also say he was stripped of his priestly duties before he had an opportunity to learn of the allegations, to prepare or present a defense, adding that “Priests are entitled to due process.”
They also contend that Barrera will not be subject to criminal prosecution due to the statute of limitations, adding that his prosecution “would be not only wrong, but illegal.”
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