Former South Charlotte Priest Faces Sex Charges

A former priest at St. Matthew Catholic Church in south Charlotte is accused of sexually abusing a boy nearly a decade ago.

Father Robert Yurgel, 43, was arrested Wednesday in Passaic, N.J., where he currently works as a priest. He’ll be extradited back to Charlotte.

Yurgel worked at St. Matthew for three years in the late 90s. Police said the child he sexually abused was 14 at the time and just recently came forward.

Yurgel is charged with five counts of indecent liberties with a child and two counts of statutory rape.

Investigators said they believe more allegations could surface.

The attorney for the alleged victim’s family declined to speak with Eyewitness News.