Posted on: December 06, 2019 10:00 AM

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Bayside church bishop arraigned on charges of predatory sexual assault of child congregant

Acting Queens District Attorney John M. Ryan today announced that Bishop Jesé Milagrosa, the spiritual leader of Our Lady of La Salette Church in Bayside, Queens, has been charged with sexually assaulting a male member of his congregation over a 3-year period, beginning in 2011 when the victim was a pre-teen. Acting District Attorney Ryan said, ?The defendant is accused of using his position as head of the church to take advantage of an innocent child for his own sexual gratification.?

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Bishop Jesé (Jesse) Milagrosa, 69, of Bayside, Queens. Bishop Milagrosa was arraigned last night before Queens Criminal Court Judge Karina Alomar on a complaint charging him with predatory sexual assault against a child, firstdegree course of sexual conduct against a child, and first-, second- and third-degree criminal sexual act. Bishop Milagrosa was ordered held on $250,000 bail and to return to court on December 20, 2019. If convicted, the defendant faces 10 years to up to life in prison.

Acting District Attorney Ryan said that, according to the investigation, the victim became an active member of Our Lady of La Salette Church, a traditionalist church in Bayside, at a young age and allegedly spent much of his time, out of school, with the defendant. Beginning on or aboutMay 12, 2011, according to the criminal complaint, Bishop Milagrosa engaged in sexual acts with the victim, who was only 12 at the time. This course of sexual conduct allegedly continued on and off until April 16, 2014.

According to the complaint, in a recorded conversation, the victim confronted the defendant on October 28, 2018, about engaging in sexual acts with him as a child. The defendant also allegedly made admissions to detectives at the time of arrest stating in Spanish in sum and substance that he had both oral and anal contact with the victim.

It should be noted that a complaint is merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
(From Queens DA)