Dallas priest charged with indecency with a child

GARLAND, Texas - A Dallas priest has been charged with two counts of indecency with a child and police want to know if there are more victims out there.

Ricardo Reyes Mata, a priest with the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, was arrested by Garland Police on Monday.

Ricardo Reyes Mata (Source: Garland Police)

Police say the allegations are based on reports of inappropriate contact with two juveniles between the ages of 10 and 17.

Investigators say the alleged encounter happened last week when Father Mata visited the children's home in Garland.

Diocesan officials said they immediately filed a report with Child Protective Services and law enforcement.

"Yesterday, the children were interviewed forensically from a specialist to determine all of the things that may have led up to it," said Lt. Barineau. 

According to records on the Cathedral Guadalupe's website, Mata was appointed vicar of the downtown Dallas church in July 2023.

Following the outcry, the diocese said Mata was immediately removed from public ministry.

 "We are grateful for law enforcement’s thorough response," said Bishop Edward J. Burns of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas in a statement. "Let us come together in prayer, respecting the dignity of all involved, seeking strength and guidance from our faith during this challenging time."

Lt. Barineau said because of Father Mata's very public role, it's important for parents of children who attend this church of ministry to talk to their kids to be sure there aren't any other alleged victims.

"Ultimately you can imagine that a situation like this can be traumatic for anybody, especially a child," he said. "We want to make sure that we provide justice and we do our job so that those affected, family members included, can know that we will do everything we can to bring them closure."

Investigators are asking anyone with information about this incident or others to give them a call at 972-485-4840.