Jury Finds Iron Range Priest "Not Guilty" in Child Sex Abuse Case

By Ramona Marozas
Northlands News Center
June 20, 2016

http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/crime/Judge-rules-Iron-Range-priest-is-not-guilty-in-child-sex-abuse-case-383676251.html

A jury has acquitted a Hibbing priest accused of molesting four girls.

Jurors deliberated about two hours on Monday before finding 30-year-old Brian Lederer not guilty on all counts.


Lederer was facing four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, all felonies.

The alleged incidents happened during the 2014-2015 school year after hours at Assumption Catholic School.

Prosecutors said another incident happened at a home and others on a school bus.

Defense attorney Peter Wold said the jury reached the right verdict given the evidence.

Prosecutor Jeff Vlatkovich called the verdict disappointing, and praised the girls for testifying.