Priest Acquitted of Criminal Sexual Conduct

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Twin Cities priest has been acquitted of criminal sexual conduct involving a female parishioner he was counseling.

A juror Monday found the Rev. Mark Huberty not guilty on one count each of fourth- and fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The 44-year-old priest said in a statement that he's relieved and that a lot of unnecessary harm had been done to the people of his parish and the complainant herself.

The complaint says Huberty and the woman met in 2008 when the woman came to him for counseling at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Maplewood. He has since resigned. Huberty was accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with someone he was counseling and of groping her without consent.

Huberty says he's looking forward to returning the active ministry.