Father Carlos Martins Cleared of Misdemeanor Charges After Incident at Illinois Parish

Father Martins, meanwhile, said in the release that he was 'deeply grateful to all who offered their prayers and support during this time.'

The popular podcasting priest Father Carlos Martins is no longer facing criminal charges after an incident at an Illinois parish last year led to misdemeanor allegations.

The Burke Law Group said in a Wednesday press release that the priest, who hosts “The Exorcist Files” podcast, had been “fully cleared of all charges” stemming from a Nov. 21, 2024, event held at Queen of Apostles Parish in Joliet, Illinois.

Attorney Marcella Burke told CNA in November that the disputed incident occurred when Martins touched a young girl’s hair while telling a joke about his own baldness. The joke occurred publicly “in a classroom setting with teachers, clergy, parish staff, and volunteers present.”

The incident led to Will County prosecutors filing a criminal complaint against Father Martins in January, one that alleged that Martins went so far as to place the girl’s hair in his mouth.

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