Woman in Maplewood Priest's Sex Case Gets Threatening Letters, Prosecutor Says

By Emily Gurnon
Pioneer Press
May 15, 2014

http://www.twincities.com/crime/ci_25769791/woman-maplewood-priests-sex-case-gets-threatening-letters

Mark Andrew Huberty (Courtesy of Ramsey County sheriff's office)

The woman involved in the criminal sexual conduct case of a Maplewood priest has received threatening letters, and the prosecutor wants a sample of the priest's DNA to see if he may have sent them.

The state argued for the sample Thursday in the Ramsey County District Court case of the Rev. Mark Huberty. Huberty, former pastor of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary church in Maplewood, has been charged with fourth- and fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving an adult woman of the parish.

The woman "has received at least five cards or other correspondences" from an anonymous sender, said prosecutor Therese Galatowitsch. They contained "very disturbing references to the Bible, what an evil person she is, even her parents, how they spawned an evil child," she said.

Galatowitsch asked Judge Patrick Diamond to allow the prosecution to test a buccal swab, or swipe from inside Huberty's cheek. He has not been in custody.

Huberty's attorney, Paul Engh, opposed the motion.

"Father Huberty had nothing to do with this," Engh said. "He's never been in contact with the alleged victim here (since charges were filed). This is an attempt to smear him once again."

He said the state has had the letters for six months.

Diamond questioned whether the results of a DNA test would be admissible at trial.

The judge told Engh to give him a written argument by the end of the day Friday. He made no immediate decision on the issue.

The matter of the letters was among several discussed at the court hearing Thursday, which was also Huberty's 44th birthday.

The November 2013 criminal complaint against Huberty alleges that he engaged in sexual touching with a woman while he was meeting with her to provide religious or spiritual advice. The charge is a felony.

He was also charged with one count of non-consensual sexual contact with the woman, a gross misdemeanor.

His attorney has said Huberty's relationship with the woman changed in January 2013 when he asked if she would be his friend; they were no longer priest and penitent, he said. The state alleges the sexual contact occurred between January and April 2013.

Huberty told police the improper contact never occurred.

He worked as pastor of Presentation, at 1695 Kennard St., from 2007 until Dec. 2, when he resigned. His trial is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 11.