A Saginaw Township Catholic priest is under investigation for alleged criminal sexual activity. 

Father Robert DeLand Jr. is the pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Freeland and is a judicial vicar with the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.

DeLand was arrested by Tittabawassee Township Police after being under surveillance beginning in November.

The 71-year old priest is accused of a sexual assault from August of last year. DeLand has since been accused of providing alcohol to a minor and purchasing the controlled substance MDMA – or Ecstasy. 

The Diocese says it had no knowledge of the accusations until DeLand was arrested. It has placed DeLand on administrative leave during the investigation. 

DeLand has been banned from Freeland Community Schools as a result of the investigation and subsequent arrest, says Tittabawassee Police.