Authorities arrest Catholic priest after child abuse investigation
Theodore Edward Gabrielli, 61.
Theodore Edward Gabrielli, 61, has worked in churches, schools, and ministries in San Jose, Los Gatos, and Los Angeles
– Detectives with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office arrested a San Diego man on June 12 in connection with multiple reports of sexual abuse involving minors that allegedly began more than 30 years ago.
Theodore Edward Gabrielli, 61, was taken into custody in Los Osos and is facing charges of aggravated sexual assault of a minor.
The investigation began on Aug. 28, 2024, when the Sheriff’s Office received a report of child abuse. Detectives with the Special Victims Unit launched an immediate investigation. During the course of the investigation, three male victims under the age of 14 were identified. All three juveniles were members of the same family.
According to investigators, the family had been living in Mexico when they became acquainted with a Catholic priest, later identified as Gabrielli. He became close with the family and was allowed to take the three boys with him to various locations in California, including his parents’ residence in Los Osos. The victims stated that the sexual assaults occurred at that location and continued over a period of approximately eight years.
Gabrielli has worked in churches, schools, and ministries in San Jose, Los Gatos, and Los Angeles.
The victims came forward in 2024 to report the alleged abuse.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information about this case or other possible victims is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Detective Division at (805) 781-4500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (805) 549-7867, through the mobile app at P3TIPS.COM or online at www.slotips.org.
