Rockford Diocese Priest Arrested on Sex Abuse Charges

STATELINE (WIFR) – A priest in the Rockford Diocese has been charged with two counts of sexually abusing a child.

According to a press release from the Diocese, Father Alfredo Pedraza has been under investigation for two allegations in Kane County reported back in 2014.

Father Pedraza was arrested, Thursday, February 11 in his Rockford home. He came to the Diocese from Columbia, South America in 2013. The Diocese says he has been out of all ministry since the allegations surfaced in October 2014.

During Father Pedraza's time with the Rockford Diocese, he worked in Hispanic Ministry in the DeKalb Deanery and assisted at Sacred Heart Parish in Aurora and Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Aurora.

The Diocese says they are cooperating with authorities throughout the entire investigation process.

Above is from:  http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Rockford-Diocese-Priest-Arrested-on-Sex-Abuse-Charges-368543711.html

 

By KATIE SMITH – ksmith @shawmedia.com

An Aurora priest and former DeKalb minster remained at the Kane County jail Friday on criminal sexual abuse charges.

Alfredo Pedraza Arias, of the 200 block of High Street, Aurora, has not worked in a church since accusations arose in Oct. 2014, according to a news release from the Diocese of Rockford.

Father Pedraza Arias joined the Rockford Diocese in 2013 and started work with the Hispanic Ministry in DeKalb, and the Sacred Heart Parish and Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Aurora.

Police believe the abuse took place at both Sacred Heart Church in Aurora and one of the children's homes, according to a news release from the Kane County Stat's Attorney's Office.

Pedraza Arias was arrested Thursday by the United States Marshal Service and Kane County Sheriff's Office. He is charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse – a felony punishable by three to seven years in prison. Should Pedraza Arias be convicted, he would have to register as a sex offender.

Pedraza Arias' bond has been set at $50,000, meaning he must post $5,000 bail to be released. He is due back in court Thursday.

The Kane County Child Advocacy Center continues to investigate the situation.

Above is from:  http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2016/02/12/former-dekalb-priest-faces-sex-abuse-charges/antbkue/