Lewdness Charges Dropped against Priest

By Jeff Horvath
Citizens Voice
June 26, 2013

http://citizensvoice.com/news/lewdness-charges-dropped-against-priest-1.1511305

Open lewdness charges against a Catholic priest from Tunkhannock and one of his parishioners who were found in a stage of undress last month in a Wyalusing public park were dropped Tuesday afternoon.

The Rev. Daniel Joseph Doherty, 49, and Joanne Mirabelli, 47, both of Tunkhannock, appeared before Magisterial District Judge Fred Wheaton in Wysox and were only found guilty of trespassing in a park after the sunset curfew.

Assistant District Attorney Francis Rineer Jr. announced the state would be dropping the charges of open lewdness, being under the influence of an intoxicating beverage, and performing an obscene or indecent act.

The state would, however, be charging the Rev. Doherty and Mirabelli with being in the Wyalusing park after dark.

The park is closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and failure to comply with this law carries a maximum penalty of a fine not to exceed $600, jail time not to exceed 90 days, and community service not to exceed 90 days.

Attorney Joseph D'Andrea submitted a guilty plea to the charge of being in the park after dark, and Wheaton administered the maximum fine of $600 plus costs to both Doherty and Mirabelli.

He opted not to sentence the two to jail time or community service.

Laceyville police Chief Scott Perry was openly disappointed with the decision to drop the charges for the other violations.

"I totally disagree with this," Perry said.

Before leaving the courtroom, Doherty and Mirabelli appeared before Wheaton.

Wheaton advised them to "thank your lawyer," and to "stay away from the Wyalusing Borough Park in the future."

Wheaton also warned the two, "don't put the police in this position again."