SUFFERN (NY)
The Journal News
February 27, 2020
By Christopher J. Eberhart
A Suffern priest accused of raping two women faces more charges after he was indicted by a grand jury in Rockland County Court on Wednesday.
Fidel Hernandez, 51, was indicted on charges of first- and third-degree rape as well as three counts of first-degree criminal sexual act and three counts of third-degree criminal sexual act.
He was originally charged with first-degree rape, first-degree criminal sexual act, first-degree sexual abuse and forcible touching.
[ARREST: Suffern monastery priest sexually assaulted at least two congregants: Cops]
“This indictment sends the message that this office will prosecute those whom are to be trusted by their congregants,” Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh said in a statement. “We cannot turn a blind eye to clergy sexual abuse cases. I hope that this indictment encourages others who may have seen, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes to come forward and make a report to their local police or district attorneys.”
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.