FORT LAUDERDALE (FL)
Miami Herald
BY WANDA J. DeMARZO
wdemarzo@MiamiHerald.com
A retired Margate priest accused of drugging and raping a young boy over a five-year period is expected to be released from jail on bond today, his attorney said.
A Broward Circuit Court judge in Fort Lauderdale agreed Monday to set bond at $70,000 for Neil Doherty, a former priest at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Margate.
Doherty, 63, who was arrested Jan. 26 and charged with eight counts of sexual battery, lewd and lascivious acts and molestation, must surrender his passport, Judge Susan Lewbow ordered. Doherty must also stay out of Margate -- where police say the rape occurred -- away from the victim and from any children under the age of 18. Doherty is also required to wear an electronic monitoring device.
Prosecutors asked that Doherty not be released, saying the ``defendant poses a threat to the community, has no financial ties to the community and there are a number of allegations against him.''