MINNESOTA
WGN
By David Jackson and Gary Marx
Tribune reporters
1:53 p.m. CDT, March 19, 2012
A fugitive Roman Catholic priest has been arrested in India after seven years on the run while facing charges that he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old Minnesota girl who sought his advice about becoming a nun.
The Rev. Joseph Jeyapaul’s case was featured in a March 11 story in the Tribune. His alleged victim, Megan Peterson, who is now 22, told the newspaper in an interview today that she was taken off guard by the arrest after so many years of waiting.
“I find it quite ironic that that we did that interview and then a week later he is in handcuffs,” Peterson said. “I wasn’t expecting it to happen this fast.”
But Peterson said she was still firmly committed to testifying against Jeyapaul should he be extradited to Minnesota to face trial. “I am ready — it’s about time,” she said. “If my voice can help, then I’ll be there.”
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