San Rafael Priest Pleads Innocent to Lewdness, Nude Charges from China Camp Sting

By Mark Prado
Marin Independent Journal
August 27, 2012

http://www.marinij.com/sanrafael/ci_21412858/san-rafael-priest-pleads-innocent-lewdness-nude-charges

A San Rafael priest pleaded innocent Monday to two misdemeanor charges in connection with allegations he exposed himself to an undercover investigator during a crackdown on lewd behavior at China Camp State Park.

The Rev. Feliciano Torres Mofan, 58, appeared in Marin Superior Court on charges of lewd conduct in public and being nude in a state park, according to the Marin district attorney's office. If convicted, Mofan faces up to six months in Marin County Jail.

Mofan was held in custody over the weekend and was released on his own recognizance after the hearing. He is due back in court next Tuesday.

The arrest occurred during a sting targeting lewd conduct at China Camp, park officials said. Rangers recently received a spike in reports about sexual activity in public, found Internet postings seeking sexual meetups in the park and have cleaned up condoms, clothing and waste left on the grounds.

Thursday evening, a plainclothes ranger was walking at Chicken Coop Hill, in the shoreline area off North San Pedro Road, when a man approached him and propositioned him for sex, officials said. Then the man allegedly exposed himself to the ranger.

The undercover ranger and another ranger nearby arrested the suspect and identified him as Mofan. When asked for his occupation at the jail, Mofan identified himself as a priest.

Mofan is listed as "priest in residence" at the Church of St. Isabella in Terra Linda, one of 91 parishes in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. St. Isabella officials said priests in residence are retired priests who choose to live in a rectory, and that Mofan recites Masses but does not teach at the parish schools.