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Priest charged with enticing minor
Deseret News
Salt Lake City, Utah
May 16, 2003
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Authors: Pat ReavyDeseret News staff writer
Pagination: B02
ISSN: 07454724
Abstract:
[Mario Arbelaez Olarte] allegedly started a conversation with a person
he thought was a 15-year-old boy in a gay chat room, said Weber County
Sheriff's Lt. Rod Layton, with the Northern Utah Internet Crimes Against
Children Task Force.
"That's a very common explanation when they meet us," he said. "This
was no different. We don't believe that to be true." Layton said there
was nothing during the conversation with the undercover officer that indicated
Olarte was doing research. In fact, Layton said they wouldn't have arrested
Olarte if he hadn't made some mention of sexual activity.
After he was arrested, Olarte consented for investigators to search
his computer at St. Joseph's. During a brief inspection of the computer,
investigators found some images of gay pornography, Layton said. A more
thorough inspection of the computer was expected to be completed soon.
Copyright Deseret News Publishing Comopany May 16, 2003
Full Text:
OGDEN -- A Catholic priest was charged today with enticing a minor over
the Internet, a class A misdemeanor, by the Weber County Attorney's Office.
The Rev. Mario Arbelaez Olarte of St. Joseph's Catholic Parish in Ogden
was arrested Wednesday night after allegedly trying to entice a boy over
the Internet. The "boy," however, turned out to be an undercover police
officer.
Olarte allegedly started a conversation with a person he thought was
a 15-year-old boy in a gay chat room, said Weber County Sheriff's Lt. Rod
Layton, with the Northern Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
"It was unusually quick. The whole conversation lasted less than 30
minutes," he said. "(Olarte) indicated he was a white male and that he
was interested in meeting. I don't think he gave his age."
Olarte told the undercover officer to meet at 25th Street and Adams
Avenue. He said he would be the one honking his car horn, Layton said.
Members of the task force quickly set up surveillance in the area and
watched Olarte drive by three times before he honked his horn. He was then
approached by agents and arrested.
Calls placed by the Deseret News to St. Joseph's were referred to the
Catholic diocese in Salt Lake City.
The diocese released a statement today that Olarte had been placed on
administrative leave and "may not function as a priest."
"Our diocesan policies regarding sexual misconduct as well as the principles
in the U.S. Bishops 2002 Charter for the protection of children and young
people will determine our course of action in regard to Father Olarte,"
according to the statement.
Olarte has been the assistant priest at St. Joseph's since August 2000.
Before that, he was an assistant priest in Midvale. He came to the United
States from Colombia in 1997, according to the diocese.
In an interview Thursday night with the Ogden Standard-Examiner, Olarte
said he was embarrassed about what happened, but said he was only conducting
research for an upcoming lesson.
Layton told the Deseret News today he didn't believe that excuse.
"That's a very common explanation when they meet us," he said. "This
was no different. We don't believe that to be true." Layton said there
was nothing during the conversation with the undercover officer that indicated
Olarte was doing research. In fact, Layton said they wouldn't have arrested
Olarte if he hadn't made some mention of sexual activity.
"He clearly met the elements of the crime," Layton said.
After he was arrested, Olarte consented for investigators to search
his computer at St. Joseph's. During a brief inspection of the computer,
investigators found some images of gay pornography, Layton said. A more
thorough inspection of the computer was expected to be completed soon.
After being booked into the Weber County Jail and interviewed, Olarte
was released on his own recognizance. An initial court appearance is expected
Monday.
E-MAIL: preavy(a)desnews.com
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