By John Tunison
The Grand Rapids Press
October 22, 2009
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/10/priest_who_served_in_rockford.html
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| Johnson Pappusamy |
MASON COUNTY -- A Catholic priest removed from two Mason County parishes earlier this year amid allegations of sexual misconduct at a Meijer store has pleaded guilty to a sex assault charge.
The Rev. Johnson Jeyabal Pappusamy, 38, began serving a 30-day jail sentence Wednesday after entering a plea to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in Mason County Circuit Court.
Officials at the Mason County prosecutors office said Pappusamy wanted to start the jail time now, even though his sentencing is set for Nov. 18.
Pappusamy allegedly touched a 28-year-old man inappropriately at the Ludington Meijer store on Feb. 11. He was pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Custer and St. Jerome Catholic Church in Scottville before he was removed. In 2007, he served at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Rockford.
Pappusamy resigned from duty with the Grand Rapids Diocese on Feb. 18, shortly after he was removed from active service because of the allegations.
Church officials have said they expect Pappusamy to return to India.
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