MINNESOTA
Pioneer Press
By Emily Gurnon
egurnon@pioneerpress.com
POSTED: 11/19/2013
Prosecutors have charged a Maplewood priest with criminal sexual conduct, alleging he had a sexual relationship with a female parishioner while giving her spiritual guidance.
Mark Andrew Huberty, 43, of the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was charged Tuesday in Hennepin County District Court.
While meeting regularly with the woman to discuss issues raised in her catechism classes, Huberty asked her to be his friend, according to the criminal complaint.
Huberty “explained that a rule of their friendship was that any touching would be above the waist and over clothing,” and began to regularly visit her in her home, the complaint said.
As time went on, Huberty began to slip his hands under the woman’s pants and fondle her buttocks, as well as fondle her breast while hugging her, the complaint said. The behavior progressed to Huberty asking the woman to stroke his genitals, charges said.
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