On April 29, 2004, police executed a search warrant and Engel was informed that they were searching for child pornography on his computer. That same day, Engel was interviewed by the victim assistance coordinator to inquire about his background. He admitted that in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s there were overnights with youth and families and that there were times that kids were in the rectory. He also said a staff member at another parish had advised him in the mid-1980’s that sleep-overs could be misinterpreted and should not happen. On April 30, 2004, Engel was removed from his assignment and fully restricted from ministry.
On December 6, 2005, Engel entered into a deferred prosecution agreement and waiver of Statute of Limitations with an assistant United States attorney. Engel’s case was handed over to an independent investigator who submitted his report to the Diocesan Review Board in February, 2006.
The Review Board assessed that possession of child pornography was substantiated and that Engel’s case should be sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
In March, 2011, Archbishop Listecki submitted Engel’s case to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
In April, 2011, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith authorized Archbishop Listecki to conduct an administrative penal process. The results of that process were sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in September, 2011.
This narrative is based on facts contained in documents related to this Diocesan priest offender.
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