Fr. Jay L. Kruse
Kruse was charged in 10/04 with two counts of possession of child pornography. Investigation had been ongoing since at least 8/04. Pornography was found on a computer at St. Wenceslaus parish. Kruse was placed on leave in 8/04 “for personal reasons” from his assignment in O’Neill, NE. That parish did not learn the reason for his leave until late 9/04. Pleaded guilty. Sentenced to one year probation. Voluntarily left the priesthood in 5/05. On the archdiocese’s list 11/30/18. Noted to have been laicized in 2006. Per the NE A.G. report in 11/21, Kruse’s personnel file includes a number of letters from priests and parishioners during 1995-2002 concerned about Kruse’s grooming behavior with teenage boys.
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