Bolivian priest found guilty of sexual assault in Chile

Santiago, June 20 (IANS/EFE) A Bolivian Catholic priest has been declared guilty of sexual abuse by a court in Chile.

He could be jailed up to four years, officials said, after the court proceedings in the Chilean city of Antofagasta Saturday. Sentencing will take place June 23.

The incident took place March 17, 2009, when priest Freddy Gutierrez Mendez, 59, received a woman in his office at Heart of Mary parish.

The victim went to deliver her resume to the priest, who had promised to help her find a job, but after a few minutes the priest sexually assaulted her.

The parish is in the port of Mejillones, near Antofagasta, some 1,453 km north of Santiago.

–IANS/EFE