NEW JERSEY
Asbury Park Press
Written by
Dustin Racioppi
@dracioppi
TOMS RIVER — The popular Brick priest who was arrested last weekend on sexual assault charges is free on bail today, according to Ocean County Jail records.
It is not clear who posted the bail for the priest, Marukudiyil Velan, more commonly referred to as Father Chris. When he was arrested on Saturday, his bail was set at $75,000 with the option to post 10 percent. However, the jail listed his bond set at $100,000 with an option to post 10 percent.
The Asbury Park Press asked the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for a photo of the suspect, but it declined. State law allows authorities discretion in releasing suspect photos, but they often refuse to do so, saying media publicity could affect their ability to select a jury.
The jail would not disclose the bail source or when it was posted. He was listed in jail records as an inmate Wednesday evening, but by Thursday the records said he had bonded out.
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