Nampa priest faces felony charges for alleged sexual assault of teenager
Nampa police arrested a Catholic priest for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenager, and the department said it is alerting the community to make sure that there are no other possible victims.
Robert Mendez Esquivel, 45, also known as Father Toto, was booked on suspicion of three felonies on Wednesday: rape of a 16-year-old, and two counts of child sexual battery. At the time of his arrest, he was serving as a priest at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Nampa.
A judge set Mendez Esquivel’s bail at $300,000 on Thursday and issued a no-contact order with the teenager.
The probable cause affidavit stated that a 16-year-old teenager contacted police about an encounter with a man she met on a dating app. The minor said the man identified himself using only his first name.
The teenager said she told the man her age before they met in person, and at one point, he asked what grade she was in, according to the affidavit. She told him she was in the 11th. The teen reported that the man told her that Idaho’s laws were “really bad” when she brought up her age.
Under Idaho law, sexual penetration with a teen who is 16 or 17 is illegal unless the other person is fewer than three years older. Any other sexual contact with a 16- or 17-year-old is illegal unless the other person is fewer the five years older than the teen.
The state has an exception for those who are legally married.
Charges stem from alleged park assault
After exchanging messages, the man picked up the teenager on Aug. 14 and they drove to a park, according to the teenager’s account in the affidavit. At the park, she said she performed a sexual act on the man at his request in the car, and the man touched her in multiple places.
The teenager was able to provide specific identifying information to police about Mendez Esquivel himself and his vehicle, police said.
Police said they found the vehicle’s license plate using cameras in the area, and then used that information, along with details provided by the teen, to identify Mendez Esquivel as the suspect.
The teenager reported vomiting, being too sick to eat and feeling “zoned out” after the encounter, according to the affidavit.
Police seek additional possible victims
Nampa police confirmed that the charges against the priest did not involve anyone from the church or its affiliated school.
The Diocese of Boise told the Idaho Statesman that it was cooperating with police, and waiting to learn more from the arraignment.
“We are complying with all law enforcement and have removed his priestly faculties, meaning he is prohibited from any priestly ministry,” Caleb Vogel, vicar general of the diocese, told the Statesman by email.
Police asked anyone with additional information or who might have been victimized to reach out. People can contact the department or leave a tip through Crime Stoppers at 208-343-COPS or www.343.cops.com, where people can choose to remain anonymous.
“Understanding Esquivel’s role in the community, the investigation is continuing to ensure that there are no other victims,” Nampa police said.
This story was originally published August 29, 2025 at 4:00 AM.
