Fr. Hadmels R. DeFrias
From the Dominican Republic. Accused of fondling two brothers under the age of 14 when they worked at the rectory of St. Mary’s of the Assumption in Elizabeth in 2001 and 2002. Their mother walked in on an incident and complained to church officials. Removed from the parish and active priesthood. Arrested in 2003; living in MD at the time. Pled guilty. Sentenced to three years probation and barred from contact with minors in NJ. On the archdiocese’s list 2/13/19. Permanently removed from ministry. Laicized. Lived in FL 2003-2010. Found in 3/19 to be teaching children at a private school in the Dominican Republic. Presenting himself as “Father Rafael” as part of an interfaith group called “The Order of Eremitic Servants.”
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