Hibbing Priest Accused of Sex Abuse Free on Bond

Duluth News Tribune
May 15, 2015

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/3746212-hibbing-priest-accused-sex-abuse-free-bond

A Hibbing priest accused of inappropriately touching three girls has been released from jail on bond.

Court records indicate that the Rev. Brian Michael Lederer was released from the St. Louis County Jail on Thursday after posting bond. He had been held on $250,000 bail since his arrest last week.

Lederer is facing five felony criminal sexual conduct charges, the most serious of which carries up to 25 years in prison. He is accused of inappropriately touching three girls — all under the age of 16 — in incidents starting last year and continuing through last week.

A judge previously denied Lederer's request for pretrial supervised release. He is due back in court on June 4.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Duluth said last week that Lederer has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the legal process. While on leave, he is not allowed to minister as a priest or have contact with anyone younger than 18, the diocese said.