Catholic priest ordered to trial on 3 additional charges

SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) - A Catholic priest in the Saginaw area has been ordered to trial on sexual abuse charges involving two teenagers.

The Rev. Robert DeLand was bound over Friday on charges of criminal sexual conduct, assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct and distributing an imitation controlled substance.

The Saginaw News reports a 17-year-old youth testified the 71-year-old DeLand last year slid a hand down his back to his buttocks during a conversation at his high school and later offered him a fake drug that police provided.

An 18-year-old testified DeLand tried to grab his crotch during an event at a church.

DeLand earlier this week was ordered to trial on charges of criminal sexual conduct involving the 17-year-old and attempted criminal sexual conduct and gross indecency involving a 22-year-old male.

___

Information from: The Saginaw News, http://www.mlive.com/saginaw