Diocese: Priest arrested in prostitution sting suspended from ministry

By Morgan Gstalter
Des Moines Register
July 16, 2016

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2016/07/16/diocese-priest-arrested-prostitution-sting-suspended-ministry/87188676/

Dominic Yamoah was arrested on July 9 for solicitation in Hamburg.

Roman Catholic officials said the priest arrested during a prostitution sting in Hamburg last week has been suspended from public ministry, pending the outcome of his criminal investigation and legal proceedings.

The Diocese of Des Moines released a news release Monday regarding the arrest of Rev. Dominic Yamoah on July 9. Yamoah was arrested for solicitation in Fremont County during a police prostitution sting after he allegedly tried to persuade an undercover source to perform sexual acts for money.

The diocese said Yamoah is a pastor at three parishes in their diocese: St. Clare in Clarinda, Sacred Heart in Bedford and St. Joseph in Villisca. They are making arrangements for pastoral care during his suspension, the release said.

The release said that Bishop Richard Pates had spoken with Father Yamoah and wrote that "(Yamoah) very sincerely regrets his actions. Father Yamoah and the diocese will fully cooperate with legal authorities on the matter."