“Eric and his brothers were heroes in my book by reporting this and making sure that a priest was accountable for action that was long standing,” said Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten, who expressed frustration at Rodriguez’s release.“I wish we could have gotten longer sentence...in terms of the amount of time he for the crimes Rodriguez committed were governed by laws that were in place at the time he committed the crimes,” said Totten. “He was prosecuted for a time that - believe it or not - child molesters got 50 percent credit,” off their sentences for good behavior.Based on the then law, Rodriguez’s sentence of 8 years “equates to four years...”Totten noted that Rodriguez must register as a sex offender “for the rest of his life,” will be on parole for three years and can be returned to custody for “I believe up to two years” if he breaks parole.Sex offenders are screened routinely and Totten said Rodriguez must not have been declared a violent sexual predator that could have led to longer incarceration.“Apparently those who screened him - if he was screened - they determined he did not meet the legal criteria,” as a violent sexual offender with a mental defect.“Eric is my hero,” said Totten, as Barragan’s initial report and later testimony of the brothers led to the successful prosecution of Rodriguez.“I understand that Eric is upset...none of us are happy,” about Rodriguez’s release.Barragan said he prays for victims that are still suffering and “waiting for a glimmer of hope in order to come out and seek healing and justice.”He also prays for Rodriguez: “Though he was responsible for so much pain and suffering I hope that in his time of solitude and reflection, he found that his actions damaged lives and souls. I pray that he has found the wisdom to not abuse again and that he seeks continued healing for his own pain and will, one day,” reveal the identities of his other victims so that they may “seek healing and closure.”
Barragan, victim of former priest, DA comment on Rodriguez’s release
January 25, 2008
Santa Paula News
Reaction to the release of former priest Carlos Rene Rodriguez, convicted in March 2004 for molesting male children from the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church parish, is ranging from despair to frustration.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesReaction to the release of former priest Carlos Rene Rodriguez, convicted in March 2004 for molesting male children from the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church parish, is ranging from despair to frustration.Eric Barragan, who was molested by Rodriguez for five years beginning when the former Santa Paula Union High School District Trustee was 12 years old, said he was notified via voice mail the day before that Rodriguez was set for release from the Norco Correctional Facility on January 20.“I never thought of the feelings I would be experiencing when the predator that was going to be released was the one that damaged the lives of my family,” said Barragan who with his two brothers testified against what had once been the family’s trusted spiritual advisor.Since Barragan notified the Santa Paula Police of the predator he has become active with SNAP (Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests), which has demanded accountability from the Catholic Church on priest abuse issues. Barragan credits the organization for his own healing as well as with his activism on behalf of priest abuse victims.Rodriguez was released 4.5 years earlier than his 8-year sentence, “well less than the 80 percent mandatory time to serve the judge ordered,” said Barragan.“My brothers and I are very upset but I understand that some justice has been done, and for that I am grateful,” who supported the Barragans through the ordeal.Barragan said he still remembers the “Fear and shame” he felt when he initially reported the abuse to the SPPD in 2003.Then 25 years old, Barragan was a SPUHS Trustee, and “to say, ‘I am here to file a report on rape and sexual abuse I suffered as a child’ was the longest sentence I ever expressed...holding back a flow of tears, rage and unpreventable fear,” of what people would think of him and how he would be treated.But the experience proved cathartic and “I suddenly became free. Free of the shame and secrecy. Free of the guilt and anger I felt far too long.”Barragan abandoned public life but could not shake a feeling of shame for the “chaos I created in my small community,” until Rodriguez’s trial when he went public with the story.
