The Region - News from Jan. 18, 1987

A former pastor of a Barstow Catholic church was arrested on misdemeanor charges of molesting two 13-year-old altar boys and contributing to the delinquency of minors, police said. The Rev. Gustavo Benson, 40, pastor of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church from January, 1986, until taking medical leave in December, was arrested and released on his own recognizance. A Diocese of San Bernardino spokesman said that Bishop F. Straling had removed Benson from his position at St. Joseph’s pending the outcome of the case.