There will be NO trial for a former north Iowa priest accused of sexually abusing altar boys some four decades ago.
Father Leo Riley was accused of abusing young boys during his time with the Archdiocese of Dubuque in the 1980s and faced five counts of second-degree sexual abuse, all Class B felonies. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was scheduled for trial July 30th in Dubuque County.
However, on Monday (07.15), District Court Judge Thomas Bitter ruled in favor of the defense’s motions to dismiss charges against Riley on claims that the statute of limitations had run out. In his ruling to dismiss, Judge Bitter noted that the state has also acknowledged that it was too late to pursue further legal action against Riley.
Despite the dismissal of the charges, Assistant Dubuque County Attorney Joshua Sims told KCRG TV, “There is no doubt that Leo Riley has committed the alleged acts of sexual abuse.
Riley has vigorously denied the 40-year-old charges and the defense said he successfully passed two polygraph tests conducted by two former FBI Special Agents.
Father Riley’s assignment history included Immaculate Conception Church in Charles City from 1986 to 1990. From 1982 through 1999, he also served at parishes in Cresco, Schley, Roseville, Buffalo Center, Woden, Forest City, Lake Mills, Clermont, Postville, Dougherty, Rockford, and Rockwell.
Riley moved to Florida in 2002 and had been a priest there until being returned to northeast Iowa to face the charges against him.
