RAPID CITY (SD)
KOTA TV
October 2, 2018
Rapid City police arrested and charged a local Catholic priest with sexual contact with a minor.
Fr. John Praveen is charged Tuesday with two counts of sexual contact with a person under the age of 16.
Rapid City Police and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint investigation after a juvenile victim reported the incident on Sept. 30. They believe Praveen made sexual contact with the child on two different times.
The 38-year-old was taken into custody on Tuesday.
Diocese of Rapid City Bishop Robert Gruss says he learned of the charged from police.
“I was surprised,” Gruss said. “We are fully cooperating with the on going police investigation.”
After learning of the charges, Gruss said he removed Praveen from his duties.
“I have suspended him from the ministry,” Gruss said. “I’m deeply saddened that a family has to endure something like this from one of my priests and so my sympathies and prayers go out to this family but also to all families who have been affected by sexual abuse by clergy or anyone else.
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