BishopAccountability.org
 
  Gibraltar Priest Accused of Indecent Exposure Gets Probation

By Valerie Olander
The Detroit News
June 4, 2009

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090604/METRO/906040485/1361/Gibraltar-priest-accused-of-indecent-exposure-gets-probation

Woodhaven -- A priest was sentenced today to nine months probation and ordered to attend a 10-week sex offender class after pleading no contest to a disorderly conduct charge stemming from an indecent exposure allegation.

The Rev. Roger Knapp, 57, pastor of St. Victor Catholic Church in Gibraltar, agreed to the plea deal last month. The city attorney dropped a lewdness charge.

A waitress at a Mexican restaurant in Woodhaven said the priest exposed and fondled himself under a table on March 26. Knapp claimed he was wiping salsa off his pants.

She did not show up at the sentencing to make a statement before 33rd District Judge Michael McNally. Knapp also declined to comment.

Other requirements include undergoing psychiatric evaluation and treatment if necessary, performing 50 hours of community service by Aug. 1 and paying nearly $600 in fines.

A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt, although is treated as such for sentencing purposes. The misdemeanor charge is punishable by 93 days in jail and/or $5,000 fine.

According to the police report, the waitress had seen the man in the restaurant several times and he would "pursue conversations with her that contained sexual overtones."

Knapp has taken a personal leave of absence from St. Victor's.

Contact: volander@detnews.com or (734) 462-2203

 
 

Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.