NEW JERSEY
The Trentonian
By Penny Ray, The Trentonian
POSTED: 08/21/14
TRENTON — A priest from the Diocese of Trenton was arrested Thursday morning for allegedly engaging in sexual conduct with a teenage boy.
According to prosecutors in the case, around 11 a.m. Thursday, the Rev. Romannilo Apura, 67, was arrested in his residence at St. Martha Parish in Point Pleasant by detectives from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit.
Prosecutors allege that in the late spring/early summer of this year Apura masturbated a teenage male in a Trenton home. Prosecutors say a second incident occurred in June when Apura allegedly attempted to remove that same victim’s pants.
The Diocese of Trenton reported the allegations to the prosecutor’s office earlier this week, which triggered the investigation. According to a statement on the Diocese’s website, the allegation of sexual abuse committed by Apura against a 16-year-old boy was brought to light on Monday. The statement says that lone allegation is the only complaint received about Apura, and that “it has no connection to St. Martha Parish in Point Pleasant, where he has been serving as pastor.”
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