A former north Iowa priest, charged with sexually abusing altar boys in the 1980s, is out of jail after posting bail of $500,000.
Father Leo Riley faces five counts of second-degree sexual abuse and was being held in Dubuque County on $100,000 bond on each count for a total bond of $500,000. Riley was apprehended in his home state of Florida last month before bonding out there to face the charges in northeast Iowa.
Riley is accused of abusing young boys during his time with the Archdiocese of Dubuque in the 1980s. Riley later moved to Florida in the early 2000s.
The defense is slated for a bond review hearing Wednesday, May 29, for possible reduction of Riley’s bail, but they also requested an expedited hearing to address the matter sooner. Yet, on Monday, Riley’s half-million dollar bail was posted and he was released from the Dubuque County Jail.
On Wednesday, an arraignment hearing for Riley to enter a plea to the charges against was set for this coming Tuesday (05.28).
Father Riley’s previous assignment history included Immaculate Conception Church in Charles City from 1986 to 1990. From 1982 through 1999, he also served at parishes in Cresco, Schley, Roseville, Buffalo Center, Woden, Forest City, Lake Mills, Clermont, Postville, Dougherty, Rockford, and Rockwell.
