Jury selection and opening testimony got underway Monday in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for Andres Andino, a longtime Catholic church music director accused of multiple sex crimes tied to two Northeast Ohio parishes. Prosecutors say the alleged conduct happened years earlier when the victim was a minor. Andino, 60, of Cleveland, was arrested in March 2025 and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Charges And Alleged Timeline
The indictment against Andino lists one count of rape, two counts of sexual battery and two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, according to reporting from WOIO/Cleveland19. Court records reviewed by the outlet indicate the alleged incidents took place between Feb. 25, 2013, and Feb. 24, 2018, a span prosecutors say covers the years the victim was a teen. Prosecutors must also show Andino was in a position of authority over the alleged victim during the period at issue.
Arrest At A Parish Service
Local coverage shows Andino worked full time at St. John Bosco Parish in Parma Heights and part time at St. Joseph Parish in Avon Lake before his arrest, and that a license plate reader led Avon Lake officers to the parish during a Sunday Mass. As reported by WJW/Fox8 via Yahoo, body camera footage captured officers approaching Andino as he left the service and taking him into custody. He later pleaded not guilty and posted bond. The Diocese of Cleveland told reporters both parishes placed Andino on unpaid administrative leave while authorities investigate.
Previous Coverage And Community Reaction
the grand jury returned an indictment last spring, and parish leaders said they were “shocked and dismayed” at the allegations. The same coverage detailed Andino’s parish roles and the diocese’s steps to suspend volunteer activity at sites where he had been active. Neighbors and parishioners told local outlets the accusations have reverberated through both communities as the legal process moves forward.
What The Charges Mean Under Ohio Law
Under Ohio statutes, rape is charged as a first degree felony and carries an indefinite prison term with a court selected minimum between three and 11 years. Sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor are classified at lower felony levels but still carry multi year sentences and fines. The state’s sentencing rules and ranges are set out in the Ohio Revised Code, and specific penalties can vary based on factors such as the ages involved, prior convictions and any specifications prosecutors pursue. Defense and prosecution strategy at trial will likely turn on credibility, the scope of the alleged conduct and what documentary or witness evidence each side presents.
Next Steps And How To Report Information
Court calendars show jurors are expected to hear testimony and evidence in the coming days as attorneys present their cases and witnesses are called. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the case to contact Cleveland police. The Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit is listed at (216) 623‑5630 on the City of Cleveland police contact list. This story will be updated as new filings, testimony and court rulings become public during the trial.
