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Boston, Massachusetts, September 2, 2022 16:44 (CNA).
A Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Washington was charged with the minor crime of indecent exposure on August 25. He was put on administrative leave and suspended from public ministry awaiting an investigation.
Father Jaroslaw “Jerry” Gamrot, pastor of Holy Face Parish and administrator of Little Flower School in Great Mills, Maryland, allegedly masturbated in a car on Route 70 and exposed himself to a man driving a separate vehicle, according to baynet.com.
The incident reportedly happened on July 25 when Gamrot, 58, allegedly exposed himself three times while driving next to the victim’s car while wearing no trousers.
According to Baynet.com, Gamrot’s final claimed effort at exposure resulted in the man photographing Gamrot and his license plate. The subject reported the incident two days later, according to Maryland State Police spokesman Elena Russo.
Priest Charged With Indecent Exposure On Highway In Southern Maryland https://t.co/GvzFajeJhX pic.twitter.com/yYTbfPGpkU
September 1, 2022: The BayNet (@thebaynetcom)
Russo told CNA on Friday that further research suggested Gamrot was the suspected driver of the car.
According to the records, Gamrot acknowledged to driving the car when interrogated by police on August 21 at his apartment in Frederick County, as reported by the source.
Father Jerry Gamrot has been put on administrative leave and suspended from public ministry awaiting an inquiry into allegations of wrongdoing away from the parish and school, according to the archdiocese’s statement.
The statement ended, “No decision about Father Gamrot’s future will be made until the inquiry is complete.”
According to the website of the Maryland state court, Gamrot’s next hearing is scheduled for September 25 at Frederick District Court.
Gamrot was born in Poland and received a Master of Divinity from the Catholic University of Lublin, according to the Holy Face parish website. Since 1991, when he was ordained, Gamrot has ministered in Poland, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Baynet.com said that Gamrot’s criminal record is spotless, with just a 2019 traffic ticket.