Puerto Rico arrests priest charged of child sexual abuse

BBC News
May 14, 2014

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-27403505

Israel Berrios (centre) is accused of sexually abusing an altar boy

US federal authorities in Puerto Rico have arrested a Roman Catholic priest on charges of sexual abuse of minors.

Israel Berrios, 58, is the first priest to be detained over charges of this kind in Puerto Rico, a US territory.

He is accused of sexually abusing an altar boy and faces a minimum of 10 years in jail if found guilty.

His arrest is part of a wider investigation into sexual abuse allegations by several priests in the Caribbean island.

Puerto Rico Justice Secretary Cesar Miranda alleged Mr Berrios initially gave money, a computer and a camera to the boy, who is now 21, and also took him on a cruise.

"All this began with the seduction of material things," Mr Miranda is quoted as saying by AP news agency.

The priest was serving in the Diocese of Caguas, a city south of the capital San Juan.

But he was defrocked by the Church after the allegations first emerged last year.