DUBUQUE (IA)
KCRG-TV [Cedar Rapids IA]
July 15, 2024
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – The priest accused of sexually abusing boys at a Dubuque school in the 1980s has had the charges against him dismissed.
Attorneys for Father Leo Riley had filed a motion to dismiss the charges, arguing the statute of limitations had expired before the charges were filed against him.
Riley was charged with five counts of sexual abuse. Prosecutors said he molested multiple altar boys while he served at Resurrection School in Dubuque from 1984-86.
Riley was arrested in April in Florida, where he is serving at a Catholic Church. Riley is also facing a lawsuit in Florida from a former student, who also claims Riley sexually abused him at a school there.
Court documents filed on Monday confirmed the state acknowledged that the statute of limitations had run out on the charges against him from his time in Dubuque.
The case is now dismissed.
Riley’s attorneys released the following statement regarding the case:
“The defective charges against Father Leo Riley have now been dismissed by the court.
Filed on behalf of Father Riley was (1) a motion to dismiss the charges, since the statute of limitations has run and (2) a motion to suppress evidence due to the unethical and unconstitutional conduct by the State.
The motion to suppress was to be heard by the court on Monday, 7/15, but the hearing was cancelled by court with an order dismissing the case…
Noteworthy, the motion to suppress was supported by former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Michael J, Streit.
Finally, please know that Father Riley vigorously denied these 40 year old charges for which there is no objective or physical evidence.
Moreover, Father Riley has successfully passed two separate polygraph examinations, conducted by two different former FBI Special Agents who are experts in polygraphs, supporting his denial of any wrongdoing doing.
Again, these defective charges have now been dismissed with prejudice, with cost assessed against the State.”