Priest Exposed Himself, Deputies Say, My Fox Tampa Bay, June 8, 2011

Priest Exposed Himself, Deputies Say

My Fox Tampa Bay
June 8, 2011

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/sun_coast/priest-lewd-arrest-060811

VENICE - A priest in Sarasota has been charged with exposing himself on a county beach. But there's a more serious charge of battery too.

The sheriff's office says it happened on a stretch of beach known as a meeting place for gay men looking to have sex. A spokeswoman says there are even web sites that promote the southern end of Caspersen Beach in Venice for such activity.

What happened there yesterday afternoon led to the arrest of Father Bernard Chojnacki, a 36-year-old vicar at the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and school in Port Charlotte.

After recent complaints, sheriff's detectives say they were doing a sting when an undercover officer encountered Father Chojnacki.

"In this case, the suspect approached the deputy who was walking behind him. And after making small talk about the beautiful beach is when he engaged in inappropriate activity," stated sheriff's office spokeswoman Wendy Rose. "He grabbed the detective and then proceeded to expose himself and offered to perform a sexual act."

Father Chojnacki was charged with battery -- for allegedly grabbing the detective's genitals -- and indecent exposure. He posted bond last night and got out of jail.

Chojnacki has been at St. Charles Borromeo for about a year and a half. The diocese of Venice says they've placed him on administrative leave and stripped him of all church duties until the case is settled.