St. Paul Priest Charged with Two-Year Sexual Abuse of Boy

KMSP
September 21, 2012

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/19605864/st-paul-priest-charged-with-two-year-sexual-abuse-of-boy


ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) -

A St. Paul priest has been charged with sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy over the past two years. Three charges of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct were filed Thursday against 48-year-old Curtis Wehmeyer following a three-month investigation.

The Church of the Blessed Sacrament learned in June that Reverend Curtis Wehmeyer may have been abusing a boy within the church. The next day the church spoke with the victim, and then contacted St. Paul police who opened an investigation.

According to the criminal complaint, the boy's mother was the one who reported the alleged abuse to the church on June 21. Wehmeyer was immediately relieved of his duties, and on his way out told the boy's mother, "(The boy) doesn't lie. I intend to plead guilty and spare your family the embarrassment."

The victim, now-14, alleged Wehmeyer gave him alcohol and marijuana and sexually abused him inside a camper parked outside the church. He says his brother was also inside the camper on one occasion, and that Wehmeyer would play pornographic movies and remove his pants.

The boy's brother also detailed a camping trip to Big Sandy Lake in Aitkin County, where Wehmeyer allegedly gave the boys beer and cigarettes and offered them marijuana. The boys were allegedly sexually abused on that trip as well, according to the charges.

Wehmeyer was ordained in 2001. In 2011, when the Church of St. Thomas of the Apostle merged with The Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Wehmeyer was put in charge of both churches. Up until the allegations surfaced in June, Wehmeyer resided at the Blessed Sacrament.

Each fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct charge carries a maximum sentence of up to one year in prison.

ARCHDIOCESE OF SAINT PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS STATEMENT

On June 20, after being informed of Curtis Wehmeyer's possible misconduct with a minor, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis immediately reported the allegations to the St. Paul police, and an investigation was begun.

On June 21, the archdiocese immediately removed Wehmeyer from his ministerial duties, and since that date, he has not practiced any ministry in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The archdiocese cooperated fully with the ensuing police investigation, and learned only today that Wehmeyer had been formally charged.

The archdiocese deeply regrets the pain caused by clergy misconduct or by others within the Church, and is offering its support and assistance to all concerned.

Wehymeyer was ordained a priest in 2001, and served as associate priest at St. Joseph parish in West St. Paul between 2001 and 2006. From 2006 to 2009, he served at Blessed Sacrament Parish in St. Paul, a parish which merged with St. Thomas the Apostle on July 1, 2009.

Anyone having knowledge of misconduct within a parish should call the proper authorities and is encouraged to notify the archdiocese at 651-291-4497.