Priest Rejects Plea Deal, Faces Trial in Rape Case

A Hanford priest accused of raping a 16-year-old girl will stand trial Aug. 19 after rejecting a plea bargain that would have sent him to prison for three years.

Prosecutors offered Father Miguel Flores, 34, the three-year sentence in exchange for a guilty plea to a lesser charge.

“Father Flores’ position regarding this matter has not changed, and that is he denies the allegations against him,” said his attorney, Rick Conway of Hanford.

Flores was being asked to plead guilty to one count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and to admit to witness intimidation.

The priest is charged with three counts of forcible rape, three counts of statutory rape, dissuading a witness and criminal threat charges. If convicted of all charges, he could spend up to 27 years in prison.