DUBUQUE (IA)
NBC News [New York NY]
May 13, 2024
By Zach Scott
A former Port Charlotte priest, accused of five counts of sexual abuse to the second degree, is expected to appear in court on Monday.
Father Leo Riley, 68, is expected to make his initial court appearance in Dubuque, Iowa, on Monday at 10:30 a.m.
Riley was arrested on multiple counts of capital sexual battery in connection to his previous role at a church in Dubuque on April 24.
Before his arrest, several individuals came forward with allegations against him, which he denies.
According to the documents, Riley was ordained in 1982 and was assigned to approximately 17 different parishes in the Archdiocese of Dubuque until 2002. He served as Associate Pastor at Ressurection Parish from 1984 to 1986.
In 2002, he requested to transfer to the Diocese of Venice and was appointed at St Charles Borromeo Parish in Port Charlotte.
While the Diocese of Venice learned of his Charlotte County allegations in 2020 due to the civil lawsuit, he was not put on administrative leave until they learned of his Iowa allegations in 2023.
Riley is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. If he fails to show, a warrant will be issued for his arrest.