Former Dallas Priest Accused of Sexually Assaulting a Child Makes First Court Appearance

By Rebecca Lopez
WFAA
February 10, 2020

https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/crime/dallas-ex-priest-accused-sexually-assaulting-child-first-court-appearance/287-6e64bf62-616e-4f45-8cca-cc9670c5a187

A frail Richard Brown appeared in a Dallas court Monday wearing shackles and handcuffs.

The 78-year-old former priest was arrested in January in Missouri on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Visiting Judge Mike Snipes asked Brown in court if he understood the charge against him.

"Yes," Brown answered.

It was the first court appearance by an accused priest in Dallas County since Rudy Kos was convicted in 1998 of aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to life in prison.

Brown was booked into jail in Dallas on Feb. 6. He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

He is accused of molesting a girl he met at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Plano.

Brown's attorney wants him released on bond. There will be another hearing Thursday morning to determine whether Brown can be released from jail before trial.

Court records link him to dozens of other assaults.