St. Paul Sex-offender Priest Balks at Probation Conditions, Gets Hauled to Court

By Emily Gurnon
Pioneer Press
February 23, 2012

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_20028096

A former St. Paul priest got a stern dressing-down by a judge Thursday for failing to cooperate with his probation officer.

Christopher Wenthe, formerly of Nativity of Our Lord parish in St. Paul, was convicted Nov. 15 of criminal sexual conduct in a case that involved a 21-year-old penitent. He is serving one year in the Ramsey County Workhouse.

Ramsey County District Judge Margaret Marrinan summoned Wenthe, 47, to her courtroom after the probation officer contacted her about problems.

The officer, Annemarie Suchta, said she met with Wenthe at the workhouse Feb. 6 to discuss conditions of his probation once he is released.

Although initially cooperative, "he appeared to be more agitated as time went on," Suchta said,

Christopher Wenthe

particularly about the supplemental sex-offender conditions.

He concluded by telling Suchta that he could not sign the document agreeing to the conditions, she said.

"I've been doing this for 15 years, and I've never had an individual refuse to sign the conditions of probation," Suchta told the court. She questioned, given Wenthe's attitude, whether he would succeed on probation.

"I'm doubtful, and if he's not (successful), it's of his own doing," she said.

Suchta recommended that any probation violation be cause for an immediate execution of his four-year prison sentence, which Marrinan stayed at the time of sentencing in favor of the jail time.

Prosecutor Karen Kugler agreed with Suchta's recommendation.

Defense attorney

Paul Engh took the blame for his client's "confusion."

He said he did not fully spell out the supplemental conditions of probation for Wenthe at sentencing in December. Wenthe had particular concerns about the prohibition on contact with minors because it would prevent access to his nieces and nephews, as well as church acquaintances with children, Engh said.

Marrinan clarified.

"It means no contact with minors, period," she said.

Wenthe also balked about the prohibition on counseling, because he remains a priest for the time being.

"Well, you know what?" the judge asked. "I don't care what you are. I told you very clearly: no counseling. You are a sex offender."

Wenthe must have no access to the Internet, except at work, assuming he continues working for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Marrinan said. She noted that pornography was found in his possession during the investigation, though that was not brought out at trial.

Engh read each of the specific recommendations to Wenthe. Wenthe said he understood them. He then signed the forms.

His attorney told the court that Wenthe's status as a priest is "under review."

A jury convicted Wenthe of third-degree criminal sexual conduct for having sex with the victim in late 2003. The sexual activity was a crime because it occurred "during the course of a meeting in which the (victim) sought or received religious or spiritual advice, aid or comfort from the (clergy member) in private."

Marrinan asked the probation officer to check on the possibility of giving Wenthe a tour of the Stillwater prison while he serves his workhouse time.

The judge promised to send Wenthe to prison if he violates probation even once.

"Throughout the case, it was painfully apparent, Mr. Wenthe, that you are a predator," she said. "I'm telling you this: You come back here one more time - you so much as step over the line one time - the consequences will be this: 48 months in prison."

Emily Gurnon can be reached at 651-228-5522.

egurnon@pioneerpress.comtwincities.com