Former Aurora Priest Agrees to Deportation in Sex Abuse Trial

AURORA, IL - In attempt to avoid a trial for charges of sexual abuse of two young girls, former Aurora priest Alfredo Pedraza-Arias in June asked a federal judge to remove him from the United States, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Catholic priest is a Columbian citizen and has ties to Costa Rica. He has been charged with sexually abusing two girls under the age of 13 at their home and at his former parish in Aurora, Sacred Heart Church.

Pedraza-Arias was arrested at his home in Rockford in February 2016 after being charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a minor. He was arrested by U.S. marshals and Kane County deputies. His bail was set at $50,000.

At the time of his arrest, the Diocese of Rockford suspended from ministry and issued a statement.

“Immediately after the first allegation was reported, Father Pedraza was asked to remove himself from all priestly ministry and from all Hispanic Ministry duties in the DeKalb County Deanery, to which he was assigned,” said the Diocese.

According to the Chicago Tribune, County Judge Linda Abrahamson, who issued a deportation order in June of this year, raised Arias' bail amount twice last month. His bail is at $100,000 and he is being held in the Kane County jail.

Related: Aurora Priest Accused of Sexually Abusing 2 Children

Prosecutors told the Tribune that they do not know what will happen with the case if someone posts Pedraza-Arias’ bond and he is deported.

Photo via the Kane County State's Attorney's Office