St. Paul Priest Arrested on Suspicion of Sexual Assault of a Minor

By Mara H. Gottfried
Pioneer Press
June 25, 2012

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_20935186/st-paul-priest-arrested-suspicion-sex-crime-minor


Police arrested a St. Paul priest on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct, and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has removed him as a pastor.

The move came after the archdiocese learned "of allegations that the priest had engaged in misconduct involving a minor," archdiocese spokesman Jim Accurso said in a Sunday, June 24, statement. "Following archdiocesan policy, the archdiocese immediately reported the allegations to the police, and an investigation into the allegations was begun."

Police arrested Curtis Carl Wehmeyer, 47, in Oakdale on Friday. He was released from the Ramsey County Jail on Monday, pending further investigation. He has not been charged.

Police are investigating the case as a sex assault, said Howie Padilla, police spokesman. A juvenile male told police Thursday it happened over a two-year period, Padilla said.

The archdiocese was told Tuesday of allegations of misconduct concerning Wehmeyer, who was the pastor at the Parish of the Blessed Sacrament at 1801 Lacrosse Ave. on St. Paul's East Side, Accurso said. He wouldn't comment on who made the allegations.

On Wednesday, after the archdiocese spoke with the alleged victim, it made a report with police and an investigation began, Accurso said. On Thursday, after Wehmeyer returned from vacation, the archdiocese met with the priest and he was removed from all ministerial duties. He no longer resides at the parish, Accurso said.

The archdiocese told the parish's trustees

Thursday, and informed parishioners during Saturday and Sunday Masses, Accurso said.

"The archdiocese deeply regrets the pain caused by clergy misconduct or by others within the Church," Accurso wrote in the statement. "The archdiocese is offering its support and assistance to all concerned."

The archdiocese statement said, "Anyone having knowledge of misconduct within a parish should call the proper authorities and is encouraged to notify the archdiocese at 651-291-4497."

Wehmeyer was appointed pastor at Blessed Sacrament in July 2009. He had become the parish's parochial administrator in June 2006. He was ordained in May 2001.

Contact: mgottfried@pioneerpress.com