An 80-year-old former Catholic priest has been extradited to the US after being accused of child sex abuse in New Mexico. Arthur Perrault, a former priest in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, was extradited from Morocco on Friday, October 20, to face seven federal charges of aggravated child sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact with a minor under the age of 12.
The allegations against Perrault date back to 1991 and 1992, when he was serving at Kirtland Air Force Base in Bernalillo County and the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe County. If convicted, Perrault faces up to life in prison.
Perrault was arrested in Morocco on October 12, 2017, on a provisional arrest warrant issued by a US federal court. He was handed over to the FBI on September 20, and the sealed indictment was unsealed after his extradition. Perrault is scheduled to appear before US Magistrate Judge Karen B. Molzen this afternoon.
The FBI and its partners had been working to bring Perrault to justice for over six years, and the agency thanked the US Attorney’s Office and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations for their support during the investigation.
The indictment alleges that Perrault abused a minor on multiple occasions in 1991 and 1992 while he was serving at Kirtland Air Force Base and the Santa Fe National Cemetery. The abuse is alleged to have taken place on government property, which is a federal offense.
The US Attorney’s Office said that Perrault took advantage of a position of trust and authority as a priest to commit the abuse. ‘The indictment alleges a grave abuse of trust by an individual who was generally considered a mentor to young people and a respected member of the community,’ said US Attorney John C. Anderson.
Perrault’s extradition is a significant development in the case, and it is hoped that it will bring closure to the victim and their family. The FBI and its partners are committed to ensuring that those who commit crimes against children are held accountable, no matter how long it takes.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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