Indian Catholic priest faces sex charge in US

sentence of 25 years in prison and a USD 35,000 fine or both

as he was charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The 47-year-old priest,as per the court order,is not

allowed to leave the state of Minnesota,must surrender his

passport and must remain law-abiding.

The incident happened on June 7 when Koppala was invited

over for supper at the location where the child was staying.

According to the complainant,Koppala kissed the girl on

the cheeks and lips. Koppala also touched her private parts.

Koppala told the victim that he loved her,according to

the complainant.

The adult in the house corroborated the incident.

Before being released on the bail,Father Koppala was

kept in the Faribault County Jail in Minnesota for about a

month.

Besides his service to the church in Blue Earth in

Minnesota,he was known for his fund raising activities to

help the poor and orphan children in Andhra Pradesh.