Ex-Catholic Priest From Minnesota Sexually Assaulted Friend: Police

WINONA COUNTY, MN — A former Catholic priest from southern Minnesota has been charged in the sexual assault of another person.

Ubaldo R. Huerta, 50, of Rushmore faces one count of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct. If convicted, he could receive up to one year in prison and a $3,000 fine under Minnesota law.

Huerta assaulted an old friend that he had reconnected with, police said.

According to the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Huerta has not had an assignment within the diocese since 2018, and his faculties as a priest were suspended in November of 2019.

"At the time of the alleged abuse, the Diocese was actively working toward his laicization," church officials said.

"The Diocese has been working and cooperating with law enforcement regarding the allegations in this serious matter. The Diocese prays for the healing of all who have been abused and encourages anyone who has been victimized or assaulted to immediately report it to law enforcement. Abused persons are not at fault, and deserve proper care in their recovery."

On either Dec. 13 or 14 of 2020, Huerta met with an old friend in Winona County, police said.

The two had met each other when Huerta was a priest but had not seen each other for about three years, according to the criminal complaint.

Huerta went over to the friend's home in Winona County and together, they drank a bottle tequila, authorities said.

The friend became very drunk, according to the police. The friend remembered being in a pair of boxers but didn't remember getting undressed, the criminal complaint states. The friend suspected that Huerta took them off police said.

Later, the friend woke up in bed while being sexually assaulted by Huerta, according to authorities.

Church officials said that Huerta provided ministry for Hispanic communities within the diocese, including these parishes:

• The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and Saint Casimir in Winona
• Saint Charles Borromeo in Saint Charles
• Saint Aloysius in Elba
• Holy Redeemer in Eyota
• Saint Francis of Assisi in Rochester

Patch has reached out to the Diocese of Winona-Rochester for comment.