St. Cloud Priest Accused of Sexual Misconduct Makes First Court Appearance

(KNSI) – A Diocese of St. Cloud Catholic Priest made his first court appearance on Monday, just weeks after being accused of forcing a woman to have a sexual relationship with him while he provided her spiritual guidance.

Father Aaron John Kuhn attended the hearing in Stearns County District Court over zoom. Bail was set at $150,000 without any conditions or he could surrender his passport, remain in the state, and make all future court appearances and can remain free without bail. He chose to remain out of jail by agreeing to all conditions.

His next court appearance will be for an omnibus hearing where both sides can argue over what evidence could be used if the case moves forward to trial. Kuhn has been charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

According to the criminal complaint, the St. Cloud Police Department began investigating the 47-year-old in August 2024 after the woman told police she received counsel from Kuhn between November 2019 and October 2022, and during that time, he allegedly manipulated and pressured her into having a sexual relationship. The victim says she repeatedly asked Kuhn to stop. The acts took place on multiple occasions in Wadena, Stearns and Benton counties.

Kuhn served the parishes that make up Mary Mother of the Church Area Catholic Community. Its churches include St. Ann in Wadena, St. John the Baptist in Bluffton, St. Joseph in Bertha, Assumption of Our Lady in Menahga, St. Frederick in Verndale, St. Hubert in Bluegrass, Sacred Heart in Staples and St. Michael in Motley.

The Diocese of St. Cloud placed Kuhn on full administrative leave, effective immediately. He was removed from active ministry in June 2024 when the report of sexual misconduct first surfaced.

Kuhn was ordained to the priesthood on June 16th, 2007, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud. Father Kuhn served as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Augustine Parish in St. Cloud and Christ Church Newman Center from June 2007 to July 2010 and studied for Canon Law Licentiate at Catholic University, Washington, D.C., from July 2010 to 2013.

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