Alleged Priest Pleads Not Guilty to Theft Charges

WGIL
April 30, 2012

http://www.wgil.com/localnews.php?xnewsaction=fullnews&newsarch=042012&newsid=290

A man claiming now to be a St. Louis resident, and also claiming to be a priest, has pleaded not guilty to charges including theft, financial exploitation of the elderly, and deceptive practices in Knox County.

The Reverend Ryan St. Anne Scott made the plea during a brief appearance in Knox County Circuit Court Monday morning.

Scott appeared with his attorney, dressed in religious garb including a cross around his neck, and also asked for a trial by jury. This, despite the fact that the Catholic Diocese of Peoria has previously labeled Scott a "fraudulent" priest.

Prosecutors accuse Scott of borrowing large sums of money from an elderly Galesburg woman between 2009 and last year, without paying her back.

Scott formerly owned the Holy Rosary Abbey Church in Galesburg.

Knox County Circuit Court Judge James Stewart set a pre-trial conference date of July second, with a trial starting possibly as soon as July 16th.

Scott is out of jail on bond, and Stewart reminded him that he is not to leave the state of Illinois -- this, despite the fact that records indicate he's still a resident of St. Louis.

Assistant State's Attorney Erik Gibson says Scott is also wanted on charges in the State of Iowa

(Rev. Ryan St. Anne Scott. File photo from Knox County Jail.)