FREEHOLD (NJ)
The Jersey Journal
Saturday, April 29, 2006
A Catholic priest accused of molesting a 9-year-old boy a decade ago may be moving to Bayonne.
The Rev. Joseph McHugh, who is accused of molesting the boy after taking him to basketball games, was sentenced to five years of probation yesterday in Freehold in a deal that dropped a sexual assault charge to spare the victim from having to testify.
McHugh, who was removed from active ministry about 10 years ago, had pleaded guilty in October to a single count of endangering the welfare of a child. He has indicated he plans to live with a relative in Bayonne.
State Superior Court Judge Bette Uhrmacher sentenced McHugh to probation, fined him $1,000 and required him to register with the state as a sex offender.