Ex-priest and president of the Jamesburg Historical Society to be arraigned today

[Ian David]

Becker to plead not guilty
Ex-priest and president of the Jamesburg Historical Society to be arraigned today

By: Bill Greenwood, Staff Writer
06/22/2007

AMESBURG — A 62-year-old Helmetta man who has served as president of the Jamesburg Historical Society will be arraigned today (Friday) in state Superior Court in Middlesex County on one count of second-degree sexual assault.

Ronald Becker, of Raintree Court, could face between five and 10 years in prison if convicted, according to Nicole Albert, an assistant prosecutor at the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office who is handling the case. Mr. Becker was indicted May 16.

<snip>

Mr. Becker was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1973, with his last assignment being in the Diocese of Trenton. In 2002, the diocese removed his faculties, prohibiting him from functioning as a priest, according to a March statement from the diocese. He had not had a church assignment since 1989, and neither the victim nor her immediate family were parishioners of a church that Mr. Becker was assigned to during his tenure, according to the diocese.

<snip>

Mr. Becker was arrested March 28 by Jamesburg police and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit after a month-long investigation. He is accused of sexually assaulting a female family member more than 20 years ago when she was between the ages of 3 and 7.

More:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18507473&BRD=1091&PAG=461&dept_id=425419&rfi=6