Accused Priest Makes Bail

Fairmont Sentinel
July 11, 2013

http://www.fairmontsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/525650/Accused-priest-makes-bail.html?nav=5003

Father Leo Charles Koppala has made bail and been released from the Faribault County Jail.

A jail spokesperson confirmed that Koppala was released Monday afternoon, after his $75,000 bail was posted by a bail bondsman.

Koppala, who had been serving as priest for Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth, has been charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The charges stem from an incident June 7 in which Koppala allegedly engaged in sexual conduct with a child under 13 years of age, with the defendant being more than 36 months older than the child.

The complaint alleges that Koppala, 47, fondled the child while visiting the home where the child was staying.

Prosecutor Troy Timmerman said conditions are attached to Koppala's release.

He is to have no contact with the victim or the victim's family, and no contact with any minor females.

Koppala cannot leave the state of Minnesota, must surrender his passport, and must remain law-abiding.

Defense attorney Philip Elbert did not return a phone call Wednesday seeking comment on Koppala's release.

In another aspect of the case, Timmerman said Faribault County deputies have been able to view all of the locked files found on Koppala's computer, after the files were unlocked by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Timmerman said he is still not sure how many files there are or exactly what is in them.

On Monday, Judge Douglas Richards said he wanted an update on the situation regarding the files by Tuesday (July 16) to discuss what officers have found, if anything.