By Associated Press, carried by Des Moines Register
September 16, 2004

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040916/NEWS01/409160403/1001

A criminal investigation will be conducted into allegations that a priest sexually abused a boy in 1998 while serving at an Iowa City area parish, Johnson County Attorney J. Patrick White said.

The investigation is needed to assess the allegations against the Rev. Paul Deyo, White said.

The Roman Catholic Diocese in Davenport released Deyo's name on Aug. 28 in an attempt to urge others who may have been abused to come forward.

Diocesean lawyer Rand Wonio said the diocese has received no other allegations of abuse by Deyo.

"I said when I started what I labeled the information gathering stage that I couldn't predict how long that would take or what would happen at the end of that," White said. "Obviously, we've reached the end of that and now have decided to do a more formal investigation."

The minor reported the incident to the diocese in July 2003 and has opted not to press charges, wanting to protect his identity, church officials said.

Deyo served at St. Patrick's in Iowa City from 1991 to 1992, St. Peter's in Cosgrove from 1996 to 1997 and at St. Wenceslaus' from 1998 to 2000. He also taught at Regina High School from 1991 to 2000.

He has been restricted from active duty since last year and currently is caring for his father in Keokuk, diocese officials said.