CALIFORNIA/MINNESOTA
CBS 8
By Brandon Lewis, Reporter
SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) – A San Diego Catholic priest is facing sex charges in Minnesota and on Friday his lawyer spoke with CBS News 8 on behalf of the priest.
The diocese in San Diego said the charges against Father Jacob Bertrand are related to a sexual encounter he had with a woman in 2010.
The 33-year-old priest took a leave of absence in August as an investigation began into allegations of sexual misconduct.
The victim said she first met Father Bertrand while the two were studying spirituality at an university in Italy in 2009.
The two became friends and court documents allege a year later he visited her and her family in Minnesota.
According to prosecutors, Father Bertrand herd their confession then held a private mass with the victim.
Bertrand is accused of twice having sexual conduct during the ceremony. He is now facing two felony charges of criminal sexual conduct as a member of clergy.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.