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November 16, 2009

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Priest pleads not guilty in sex case

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 | 11:06 a.m.

A Catholic priest accused of molesting five young parishioners pleaded not guilty this morning in District Court.

The Rev. Mark Roberts, 51, will go to trial May 19 before District Court Judge Donald Mosley on two counts of using a minor in the production of pornography, two counts of open and gross lewdness and five counts of child abuse or neglect.

Police say Roberts befriended the five young men at St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, where he was pastor, over a five-year period, counseling them and earning their trust. Police and prosecutors said he then ordered them to take off their clothes and beat themselves as "penance" as he watched.

The priest also is accused of taking pictures of the young men so they could understand how it felt to be "exploited."

Several apparent parishioners in the courtroom would not comment except to say they were not supporters because "who would support him?"

Roberts, who was suspended with pay, remains free on $13,000 bail.

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