No Criminal Charges for North Dakota Priest Accused of Sexual Misconduct with a Child

By April Baumgarten
Dickinson Press
November 26, 2019

https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/news/crime-and-courts/4790214-No-criminal-charges-for-North-Dakota-priest-accused-of-sexual-misconduct-with-a-child

A priest in south-central North Dakota will not be criminally charged after a girl accused him of sexual misconduct while he was a clergyman in Fargo and Towner, but Catholic leaders will decide at a later date whether he can resume missionary work.

McHenry County State’s Attorney Joshua Frey announced Tuesday, Nov. 26, that he will not file charges against the Rev. Wenceslaus Katanga, who is on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Fargo Diocese. The announcement comes three months after the Cass County State’s Attorney's Office declined criminal charges amid similar allegations in Fargo.

“I have concluded that there is insufficient evidence of criminal wrongdoing as well as questionable grounds for jurisdiction lying in McHenry County,” Frey said in his letter of declination. “Therefore, it is my opinion that I would be unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt."