Former Hastings priest acquitted of abusing altar boy

Faribault County Register
May 27, 2015

http://www.faribaultcountyregister.com/page/content.detail/id/855812/Former-Hastings-priest-acquitted-of-abusing-altar-boy.html?isap=1&nav=5050

HASTINGS, Minn. (AP) — A former priest has been acquitted on charges that he sexually abused an altar boy at a Hastings church almost 30 years ago.

The St. Cloud Times reports (http://on.sctimes.com/1FNPSQR ) that Hoefgen broke down and sobbed with friends and family after the not guilty verdicts were read Tuesday. He left without commenting.

The 36-year-old Red Wing man who accused Hoefgen of abuse from 1989 to 1992 hung his head in his hands after the verdicts came down. He left before the session ended.

Hoefgen was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. The jury deliberated about three hours.

The 64-year-old was accused of abusing the former altar boy when Hoefgen was associate pastor at St. Boniface Church in Hastings. Hoefgen is a former St. John's Abbey monk and priest.