Chilean priest found guilty of sexually abusing teens

TEMUCO, Chile, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- A three-judge panel found a Chilean priest guilty of sexually abusing teenagers who attended a boarding school in Temuco.

Prosecutors recommended the Rev. Orlando Rogel Pinuer, convicted on four count of sexual abuse, be sentenced to 15 years in prison when his sentencing is imposed Aug. 25, Nacion.cl in Santiago reported Tuesday.

During trial, the court heard how Rogel, 53, plied teenagers with alcohol and money in exchange for sex.

Prosecutor Omar Merida said there was evidence Rogel abused other children for years and accused the Catholic Church of not cooperating in the investigation.

Merida said during the trial the bishop of Villarrica "had direct knowledge of the facts and not reported."