Collaborative Investigation Leads to Arrest of Florida Priest
A Port Charlotte priest, Leo P. Riley, 68, was arrested on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, on multiple counts of capital sexual battery. The allegations are connected to his previous tenure as an associate pastor at Resurrection Parish in Dubuque, Iowa, from 1984 to 1986. The arrest was a collaborative effort between the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) detectives and the Dubuque Police Department.
5 Key Points
- Four people reported being sexually abused by Father Riley from 1984 to 1986 when they were grade school-aged altar boys at Resurrection Parish in Dubuque, Iowa.
- In May 2023, the Diocese of Venice learned of sexual misconduct allegations involving Riley and immediately placed him on administrative leave.
- Dubuque police arrested Riley for five counts of capital sexual battery within their jurisdiction, referring to an adult over 18 years old sexually battering a child under 12 years old.
- Riley has served as a priest at various churches in Florida, including San Antonio Catholic Church in Port Charlotte, Saint Charles Borromeo in Port Charlotte, St. Peter the Apostle in Naples, and Sacred Heart in Punta Gorda.
- Riley’s attorney stated that the priest is baffled by the forty-year-old allegations and vigorously denies any wrongdoing.
Details of the Arrest
According to the Dubuque Police Department, four individuals came forward with reports of being sexually abused by Father Leo P. Riley from 1984 to 1986. At the time, the victims were grade school-aged altar boys serving at Resurrection Parish in Dubuque, Iowa, where Riley was the associate pastor.
The Diocese of Venice was made aware of sexual misconduct allegations involving Riley in May 2023 and promptly placed him on administrative leave. At the time of his arrest, Riley was last assigned to San Antonio Catholic Church in Port Charlotte, Florida.
Dubuque police arrested Riley on five counts of capital sexual battery within their jurisdiction. Capital sexual battery is defined as an adult over 18 years old sexually battering a child under 12 years old. CCSO detectives collaborated with Dubuque police to arrest Riley at his Port Charlotte home on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024.
Reaction from Parishioners
The news of Father Riley’s arrest caught some parishioners at San Antonio Catholic Church by surprise. Geraldine Oswald, a parishioner, expressed her disbelief, stating, “When we first were told about it, I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know him when he was in Iowa, but when he was here, I just enjoyed him very much.”
Giacomo Thompson, a member of Saint Charles Borromeo for a year who had met Father Riley once, said, “We fully support the police in pursuing their investigation and trial to the full extent of the law. We don’t know any other Catholics that aren’t in agreement with this same position.”
Father Riley’s Service History
Prior to his arrest, Father Leo P. Riley had served as a priest at various churches in Florida. During the early 2000s, he spent time as a priest at Saint Charles Borromeo in Port Charlotte, St. Peter the Apostle in Naples, and Sacred Heart in Punta Gorda. Most recently, he was assigned to San Antonio Catholic Church in Port Charlotte.
Legal Proceedings
CCSO arrested Riley at his home and took him to the Charlotte County Jail overnight. As of Friday night, April 26th, 2024, Riley had bonded out of jail, according to CCSO.
In a statement issued by Riley’s attorney, it was said that “Father Leo Riley has dedicated his life to the Catholic church. He has multiple decades of exemplary and honorable service as a catholic priest. He is baffled by these forty-year-old allegations and vigorously denies any wrongdoing.”
The arrest of Father Leo P. Riley on multiple counts of capital sexual battery has shocked the Catholic community in Port Charlotte, Florida, and Dubuque, Iowa. As the legal proceedings unfold, parishioners and the general public await further details on the case. The accusations of clergy abuse dating back to the 1980s serve as a reminder of the ongoing need for transparency and accountability within religious institutions.
Arrest of Florida Priest FAQ
Who is Father Leo P. Riley?
Father Leo P. Riley is a 68-year-old priest who was arrested on multiple counts of capital sexual battery related to his previous service in Dubuque, Iowa, from 1984 to 1986.
What are the allegations against Father Riley?
Four people reported being sexually abused by Father Riley from 1984 to 1986 when they were grade school-aged altar boys at Resurrection Parish in Dubuque, Iowa, where Riley was the associate pastor.
When did the Diocese of Venice learn about the allegations against Father Riley?
The Diocese of Venice learned of sexual misconduct allegations involving Riley in May 2023 and immediately placed him on administrative leave.
What is capital sexual battery?
Capital sexual battery refers to an adult over 18 years old sexually battering a child under 12 years old.
How have parishioners reacted to the news of Father Riley’s arrest?
Some parishioners at San Antonio Catholic Church in Port Charlotte, Florida, where Riley was last assigned, expressed shock and disbelief upon learning of his arrest. Others have stated their support for the police investigation and legal proceedings.
Citations:
Espy, J., & Romero, S. (2024, April 27). Florida priest arrested on multiple counts of sexual battery from past service in Iowa. KAKE. https://www.kake.com/story/50723174/florida-priest-arrested-on-multiple-counts-of-sexual-battery-from-past-service-in-iowa
