Former priest waives sex abuse preliminary hearing

CLIFFORD, Pa. (AP) — A former Episcopal priest in New York will stand trial in Pennsylvania on charges he molested two boys.

Authorities say 82-year-old Ralph Johnson was a pastor of St. Ann’s church in Afton, N.Y. in the early 1990s when he repeatedly molested an 11-year-old boy at his Pennsylvania home.

Police say the priest told the boy’s parents he was helping the child he said was “troubled.”

Investigators say the mother of a mentally disabled boy came forward with sex abuse allegations after Johnson’s arrest last month.

Johnson waived a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault in Clifford, north of Scranton. Defense attorney John Petorak says he is considering a plea deal.

Church officials say Johnson was defrocked as a priest several years ago.