DUBUQUE (IA)
KGAN - CBS 2 [Cedar Rapids IA]
July 11, 2024
By Valeree Dunn
DUBUQUE COUNTY, Iowa (KGAN) — The former Dubuque priest accused of abusing altar boys in the 1980s is asking the court to drop his charges.
Court filings show lawyers for Leo Riley filed a motion to dismiss last week, arguing that the statute of limitations has passed.
However, according to court documents filed earlier this year, authorities said the statute of limitations was put on hold under Iowa law, based on a legal tenant called “tolling,” since Riley moved to Florida before the statute of limitations was up.
Riley is charged with five counts of second degree sexual abuse for the alleged abuse during his days at Resurrection Church.
At the time of the alleged abuse, Iowa’s statute of limitations was to be 10 years after the victim turns 18. Four former altar boys who say they were abused by Riley turned 28 in 2002, the same year Riley moved to Florida, but only one of them had their birthday before that move, putting a pause on the statute of limitations for the other three.
Riley had been accused of abuse in the past, but was only arrested on these charges earlier this year.
He’s due back in court Monday, July 15 for a continuance hearing.