Davis Priest Faces Unlawful Sex Charges

WOODLAND (AP) - A Northern California priest has been charged with having unlawful sex with a 17-year-old girl.

The Sacramento Bee reports that Yolo County prosecutors filed three felony counts against 46-year-old Hector Coria Gonzales on Friday.

Davis police said Gonzales befriended the victim while he was a priest at St. James' Parish and had a sexual relationship with her over an eight-month span.

According to the complaint, the charges stem from encounters between the 46-year-old Coria and a 17-year-old girl that took place at a home, in a vehicle and at the church rectory over eight months.

Gonzales faces up to four years in prison if convicted.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento ordered that he move out of the rectory, placed him on leave and stripped him of his duties until legal proceedings are completed.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.