The Region : Priest Faces Sex Charges

A 34-year-old Roman Catholic priest in Huntington Beach was charged with 24 counts of molesting an undisclosed number of altar boys during a 13-month period. Charges were filed by the Orange County district attorney’s office late Friday against Father Andrew Christian Andersen, one of the priests at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church. Police Lt. James Walker said the altar boys were between the ages of 12 and 14, and the location of the alleged incidents “include the suspect’s vehicle, a private residence within the city of Huntington Beach owned by the church, the church rectory, the suspect’s living quarters on church premises and a borrowed motor home.” Police said Andersen has made arrangements to surrender this week.