Indian priest to remain behind bars in sexual abuse case

Blue Earth:  An Indian Catholic priest, who was accused of sexually assaulting a girl in the US, would remain behind bars after an appearance in the court Monday afternoon in which he was advised of his rights.

Father Leo Koppala, 47, is charged with second degree criminal sexual conduct after an alleged fondling incident involving a 12-year-old girl in the basement of one of his parishioners.

Bond has been set at US$ 75,000 for Fr. Koppala, who who belongs to Nellore diocese in Andhra Pradesh.

Fr. Koppala has been serving at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth for nearly four years.

After his arrest last week, the Diocese of Winona placed Fr. Koppala on administrative leave pending the resolution of the criminal charge.

"He asked for a bail reduction," said County Attorney Troy Timmerman.

"The state opposed that request. The judge ordered a bail study to determine if a reduction or release is appropriate," he added.

An omnibus hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 8, at which time Fr. Koppala can contest the charge against him.

According to the criminal complaint against Fr. Koppala, the priest had been invited for supper to a home in Blue Earth on June 7.

The 12-year-old girl was visiting for the weekend and at one point, went to the basement to watch TV when the adult in the home was on the phone.

The priest went to the basement and pulled the girl up to where he was sitting. The complaint alleges that the priest kissed her "on the cheeks and lips" then controlled her with his hands, moving his hand to touch her breasts.

Fr. Koppala allegedly suggested that the girl come to his house after school "so they could be free together." He also told her that he loved her.

Police Chief Tom Fletcher interviewed the priest later, and says Fr. Koppala admitted going to the basement, kissing the girl on the cheeks and mouth, and placing his hand on her chest.

But the priest said he does not believe that he touched her breasts and said he meant something different with the suggestion that they could be "free together."

Source: myfox47

June 10

Blue Earth priest charged with criminal sexual conduct

BLUE EARTH, Minn. (KTTC) -- A Blue Earth priest accused of having sexual contact with a young girl made his first court appearance Monday afternoon.

Fr. Leo Koppala, 47, a priest at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, is charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Koppala was arrested at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

According to the criminal complaint, Koppala is accused of touching the victim on her lower back and breasts on Friday evening while he was at the family's home for dinner. The victim also told investigators he kissed her on the cheeks and mouth. He told her he loved her and wanted to be together after she was done with school. 

The county attorney says the female victim is under the age of 13 and the crime was committed at the girl's grandmother's house. 

According to the complaint, Koppala admitted to investigators he was at the home for dinner and while the grandmother was on the phone he went downstairs where the victim was watching television and kissed her. He says he placed his hand on her chest but says he does not believe he touched her breasts. Koppala also admitting to telling the child they could be free together but says he meant something different. 

Koppala is being held at the Faribault County Jail on a $75,000 bond. 

Faribault County Attorney Troy Timmerman says, "He is a citizen of another country and that's not as unique as you might think. We do frequently have people who are passing through whether it be on the interstate or even as migrant workers that commit crimes here but in his case we did ask that his passport be surrendered. I think that is just appropriate to do as he's a citizen of another country and if he should post bail we don't want him to be able to leave the country."

If convicted of the felony he could face 25 years in prison, a $35,000 fine or both