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Minnesota Priest Sentenced For Sexually Abusing Woman

ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- A 47-year-old priest has been sentenced for sexually abusing a woman who was seeking his spiritual advice and counsel, according to the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.

Christopher Thomas Wenthe of Delano, Minn. received a stayed prison sentence of 4 years and 9 months, was ordered to serve one year in the Ramsey County workhouse and fined $30,000 for his conviction on a charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The judge ordered Wenthe to pay up to $90,000 in restitution for the victim's medical treatment. He will also be on probation for 15 years and must register as a predatory offender.

Wenthe was convicted on Nov. 15, 2011.

At the time of the incident, Wenthe was a priest working at Nativity Catholic Church in St. Paul.

Wenthe was ordered to begin serving his workhouse confinement Wednesday.

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