MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — WKRG News 5 has received a copy of the official complaint against a Mobile Catholic priest accused of sexual misconduct and harassment.
Rev. David Tokarz, 73, a pastor at Our Savior Catholic Church in West Mobile, was arrested on April 13, according to the Mobile County Metro Jail log, which said he was charged with sexual misconduct and harassment or harassing communications
According to the complaints filed in Mobile Municipal Court, two incidents “on or about” March 6, 2024, preceded the charges.
The incidents allegedly occurred on March 2, 2024, and March 6, 2024, according to the document.
On March 2, the complaint alleges, “David Joseph Tokarz engaged in sexual conduct with the victim (name redacted) by hugging her but when he released her from the hug he rubbed his hands on the side of her breasts and patted her breasts as well.”
The complaint said these alleged actions were “done without her consent and caused her to be alarmed.”
On March 6, 2024, the complainant alleged, Tokarz engaged in “unwanted touching by kissing her on the lips after a meeting in his rectory which caused her to be alarmed.”
According to documents, the Magistrate of the Municipal Court of Mobile oversaw the complaint, which appears as a PDF below:
Over the weekend, News 5 contacted the Archdiocese of Mobile about this matter.
Here’s the statement a spokesperson released:
“The Archdiocese of Mobile is aware that misdemeanor charges have been brought against Fr. David Tokarz, Pastor of Our Savior Church in Mobile, by an adult woman.
Since this is an active legal matter, questions about the charges should be referred to Fr. Tokarz’s attorney.
“We ask for your prayers for all affected by this situation.”
News 5 has contacted Tokarz’s attorney, Jeff Deen. We haven’t heard back from him, but we will update this article and share his response when we do.
