Louisiana priest accused of sexually abusing minor surrenders, confesses
Published 12:14 pm Thursday, June 14, 2018
NEW ORLEANS — A 75-year-old priest has surrendured to authorities following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.
According to a report from the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, the assault occurred several years ago when the victim was 16 years old at the home of the Rev. Steven Michael Guidry. The sheriff says the priest was forthcoming with information about the incident.
Guidry confessed to assaulting the victim after serving the teen alcohol, according to the sheriff’s office report.
“It’s difficult for the community. It’s difficult for the diocese, difficult for the family. All the way around, it’s a hard thing to deal with, but we did what we had to do,”Sheriff Bobby Guidroz told WWL radio in New Orleans. “Father Guidry made our case easy by coming in and cooperating with us,” says Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.
The Baton Rouge Advocate reports Guidry was released after paying $21,500 bond, according to Maj. Eddie Thibodeaux. He faces one count of molestation of a juvenile and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
The priest has been on administrative leave since word first surfaced of the investigation. He led St. Peter Church in Morrow, Louisiana.