Port Charlotte Priest Charged with Exposing Himself, by Alex Orlando, Tampa Tribune, June 8, 2011

Port Charlotte Priest Charged with Exposing Himself

By Alex Orlando
Tampa Tribune
June 8, 2011

http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/jun/08/1/port-charlotte-priest-charged-with-exposing-himsel-ar-235941/

Bernard Chojnacki

A Port Charlotte priest was arrested yesterday on Caspersen Beach in Sarasota County on charges of battery and exposing himself.

Fr. Bernard Chojancki, 36, from Orchid Lake, Mich., the parochial vicar of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Port Charlotte, was walking with an undercover deputy sheriff on a trail near South Harbor Drive when he grabbed the deputy below the belt, exposed himself and said he wanted to perform sexual acts on the deputy, a sheriff report said.

The deputy arrested Chojancki. He was charged with one count of exposure of sexual organs and one count of battery at a total bond of $1,250. Officials said he posted bond and was released.

The Diocese of Venice has put Chojancki on administrative leave until further notice but has allowed him to keep living in the church's off-site rectory, said diocese spokesman Billy Atwell.

Atwell said he did not know when Chojancki last led Mass and has not determined what action, such as banning him from leading church activities, might be taken against him.

"Obviously, the charges are upsetting," Atwell said. "And action was taken immediately as is necessary."

He said Chojancki's arraignment is scheduled for July.