Hill-Murray's president cited in sex sting at St. Paul park
Police arrested the president of Hill-Murray School, a Catholic school in Maplewood, during an undercover police sex sting operation Thursday in a St. Paul park.
Joseph Peschges was apprehended at Crosby Farm Regional Park, and received a misdemeanor citation for indecent conduct Friday, according to St. Paul Police spokesman Sgt. Pete Crum.
Peschges allegedly touched an undercover police officer's groin, according to Crum.
The Star Tribune reports that Hill-Murray has relieved Peschges of his duties as a result of the incident. The school's online directory lists Susan Paul as acting president and principal.
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School officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Hill-Murray is a private Catholic school, with about 950 students enrolled in grades 7-12.
Crum said police have conducted five undercover sting operations at local parks this summer.
"The reason they do these is because of the number of complaints that come in about the conduct in these parks," he said. "It's an attempt to try and discourage that conduct."
Police apprehended eight other people during the sting Thursday at Crosby Farm Regional Park and Meeker Island.