Victim Ready to Testify against Priest Charged with Sexual Assault

By Neil Carlson
Valley News Live
November 20, 2014

http://www.valleynewslive.com/story/27429718/victim-ready-to-testify-against-priest-charged-with-sexual-assault

[with video]

A former Greenbush, Minnesota priest, who was just extradited from his home in India was formally charged with 3 counts of criminal sexual conduct in Roseau. Joseph Jeyapaul is charged with sexually assaulting 2 females, who were 14 and 16 years old at the time of the attacks in 2004 and 2005.

Jeyapaul remains in jail on a bond of 2-million dollars cash if he doesn't want any conditions placed on his release.

However, it's not the kind of thing folks expect to have to talk about in a small, tight knit Community like Greenbush.

Fifty-nine year old Joseph Jeyapaul was a priest at this church. In one incident, he's charged with having a 16-year old girl touch his genitals at his nearby home.

He's also charged with forcing a second victim, a 14-year old girl to perform oral sex on him. Jeyapaul allegedly told that victim that he would kill her family if she told anyone. He also told the girl that she was a bad person and she should kill herself.

However, Prosecutor Karen Foss says that victim is ready and willing to testify against Jeyapaul.

Karen Foss, Roseau County Attorney: “She has been very assertive and in this case the main reason we kept pursing the extradition. She has gained a lot of strength from this process.”

According to court records, that victim endured multiple attacks by Jeyapaul. She stated once or twice a week during the school year. She says the attacks took place in Jeyapaul's office and also in the confessional of this church.

In court, Jeyapaul also applied for a court appointed attorney. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 1. If convicted of all 3 counts he could face a maximum sentence of 70-years in prison.