Police in Lansdale, PA, have arrested a 64-year-old man accused of groping a man in the North Penn YMCA locker room. John Roebuck, whom multiple news outlets have identified as a priest at a local Roman Catholic church, has been charged with indecent assault without consent and harassment.
Roebuck was arrested last Friday for the alleged incident, which occurred at the Y's Lansdale branch on Dec. 15, according to a statement posted on the Lansdale Borough Police Department's Facebook page.
The victim, an adult male, told police that he was in the Y's sauna when he met and talked with an older man, who was later identified as Roebuck. The victim said that when he turned to leave the sink area in the locker room later in his visit, Roebuck shook his hand and then used his free hand to grab the victim's genitals.
The victim immediately reported the incident to Y staff. An employee confronted Roebuck, who was still in the building but denied that anything had occurred. Police met with Roebuck on Dec. 19 and issued a warrant for his arrest on Jan. 13.
Roebuck's bail was set at $50,000, according to the police department, which acknowledged the "exceptional cooperation provided by the North Penn YMCA."
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia issued a statement to local news outlets calling the allegations "deeply troubling" and noting that the "alleged conduct relating to his arrest did not involve a minor."
A spokesperson for the archdiocese told the Delaware County (PA) Daily Times that Roebuck has been placed on administrative leave, and the archdiocese is cooperating fully with the police investigation.