Grand Jury Indicts Priest Accused of Molesting Boy in Cranston Decades Ago

By Mark Schieldrop
Patch
November 21, 2014

http://patch.com/rhode-island/cranston/grand-jury-indicts-priest-accused-molesting-boy-cranston-decades-ago-0

The former priest of St. Mary Parish in Cranston and St. Augustine in Providence has been indicted by the Statewide Grand Jury and charged with five counts of first degree sexual assault.

Meehan was the pastor of St. Timothy Parish in Warwick when he was placed on administrative leave in January of 2013 after the allegations emerged. One of his alleged victims reported it to the Diocese of Providence, which then contacted the State Police.

Police identified a second victim during their investigation.

Meehan allegedly sexually assaulted a male over 14 while assigned to St. Mary Parish in Cranston between April 17 of 1986 and Jan. 25 of 1991. He also allegedly assaulted another male over 14 between Jan. 25 of 1991 and Aug. 31 of 1992 while assigned to St. Augustine in Providence.

Meehan was arraigned in Providence County Superior Court before Superior Court Magistrate Patricia Harwood and bail was set at $50,000 with surety.

Meehan was ordered to surrender his passport by noon Monday and is not allowed to leave the state or contact the victims.

Meehan is due to return to court on Dec. 11.

Meehan reportedly denied any wrongdoing and in a statement immediately following his resignation last year, the Diocese said “This unfortunate news is very distressing, however, The Diocese of Providence takes very seriously and will act upon credible allegations of abuse.”

Meehan was ordained to the priesthood in 1978 and served at Saints Peter and Paul in West Warwick, St. Mary in Cranston, St. Augustine in Providence, St. John the Baptist and St. James in West Warwick and St. Timothy in Warwick.