Indian catholic priest gets six years jail for abusing minor
A US court sentenced a former Roman Catholic Indian priest to six years of jail for touching a minor girl inappropriately, reports said. The accused, 38-year-old John Praveen, pleaded guilty in February. He had sexually abused the minor, who is 13 years old, in Rapid City church of South Dakota in 2018. The verdict was pronounced by Judge Steven Mandel. Here's more.
Praveen touched girl over her clothes, police launched probe
Praveen served at the Holy Spirit Father congregation in Telangana and was deputed abroad for ten years in 2017. His deputation began at All Saints Church in Eagle Butte in South Dakota and later he was transferred to Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City. He reportedly touched the girl over her clothes and a probe was launched.
Praveen confessed, apologized to victim and her family
An investigation began in September last year and Rapid City Police Department had said the case was being treated as "high priority". Praveen confessed to the crime and apologized to the family and victim. In tears, Praveen told the court that he knows saying sorry won't change anything but he hoped to take back his actions.
Notably, Bishop apologized to the family as well
Rapid City Bishop Robert Gruss also apologized to the victim and her family in an email. He dubbed Praveen's actions as "sinful, traumatic, and betrayal" and said the family had to suffer a lot. "Only those who have been victims of abuse of any kind can understand the trauma. Crimes of sexual abuse can never be tolerated, most especially among priests," he wrote.
Praveen will be eligible for parole after three years
Notably, prosecutors asked for a maximum one year of punishment for Praveen but Judge Mandel said it was "not appropriate". Praveen has spent 178 days in prison, so his sentence will exclude that. He will be eligible for parole in three years. If granted parole, the board can either ask Homeland security to deport Praveen or have him serve sentence in some other state.
