Nampa, Idaho Priest Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison After Pleading Guilty to Sexual Abuse of Teen
NAMPA, Idaho — A former Catholic priest who served at a Nampa parish has been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual battery of a minor, a Canyon County case that drew emotional testimony from supporters and sharp arguments from prosecutors seeking a stiffer penalty.
Background: Arrest and Charges in Canyon County Case
Robert Mendez Esquivel, known in the Nampa community as “Father Toto,” served as a priest at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Nampa beginning in 2022. He was arrested in August after investigators determined he had engaged in sexual contact with a 16-year-old victim.
Nampa Police said Esquivel met the teenage victim through the dating app Grindr. Investigators said the two met at a Nampa park, where a sexual act occurred. Authorities confirmed the victim had no connection to St. Paul’s Catholic Church or its school.
Esquivel was originally charged with rape and two counts of sexual battery of a minor. In January, he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual battery of a minor. The remaining charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement.
Sentencing: Prosecutors Sought 20 Years
Prosecutors pushed for a 20-year prison sentence, arguing that Esquivel’s conduct was deliberate and that Idaho law exists specifically to shield minors from adults in positions of authority or influence.
“At the end of the day, Idaho law protects the 16-year-old from the 45-year-old,” a prosecutor said during sentencing arguments.
Esquivel’s defense attorney took a different tone, pointing to letters of community support and noting that his client had begun leading a Bible study for fellow inmates while held at the Canyon County Jail. The attorney described Esquivel’s previous ministry work in glowing terms.
“He baptized children, married people, heard confessions, guided teenagers away from sin — and he did it all with a smile on his face and love in his heart,” the defense attorney said.
The attorney also acknowledged that deportation following the sentence is a near certainty. “It is beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is going to be deported — with this specific crime, there would be absolutely no way that he would stay in the United States,” the attorney said.
Addressing the court directly, Esquivel expressed remorse. “I am ready, Your Honor, to have the treatment that you consider the best for me. In order to never again cause so much pain in anyone,” he said. His remarks prompted visible emotion from several people in the courtroom gallery.
The judge described Esquivel’s behavior as opportunistic rather than predatory and sentenced him to three years fixed, followed by 12 years indeterminate — a total of up to 15 years. As a condition of his sentence, Esquivel is prohibited from having contact with the victim or with minors without parental consent.
Impact on Canyon County Residents and the Nampa Community
The case drew significant attention across the Treasure Valley, particularly among Catholic parishioners in Nampa and families connected to St. Paul’s. While authorities confirmed the victim was not affiliated with the church or its school, the arrest of a working priest shook the faith community.
Canyon County law enforcement and prosecutors have increasingly emphasized the dangers posed to minors through social media platforms and dating apps. Canyon County Sheriff’s Office officials have previously raised alarms about criminal activity facilitated through digital channels — a concern that stretches well beyond this individual case. For more on local law enforcement challenges in Canyon County, read our earlier coverage on how Canyon County’s sheriff described the county’s growing drug distribution problem.
For broader Idaho public safety and legal news, readers can follow ongoing statewide coverage at Idaho News.
What Comes Next
Esquivel will serve his sentence in Idaho’s correctional system before facing what his own attorney called near-certain deportation proceedings upon release or completion of his term. His no-contact restrictions with minors will remain in effect throughout and following his incarceration.
The case serves as a reminder to Canyon County parents of the risks associated with minors’ unsupervised use of dating and social networking applications. Nampa Police have not announced any related investigations stemming from this case.
Residents with information about crimes involving minors in the Nampa area are encouraged to contact the Nampa Police Department directly.