On November 26th of 2025, Joseph Herzing faced charges for actions connected to alleged sexual abuse. He is facing multiple felony charges including stalking and criminal sexual conduct. Joseph Herzing is a 61 year old priest that has served in several central Minnesota communities. These include serving as a priest at Christ Church Newman Center, St. Anthony Catholic Church and Holy Spirit Catholic church. He was also at Our Lady of Lourdes in Little Falls.
The investigation of this case began on August 1st, 2024, when the St. Cloud police department received a report of sexual abuse. These offenses involve a single victim, whose identity remains anonymous. The charges involve a pattern of abuse from 2018-2022. Their encounters first began in the fall of 2018.
Over the course of 2018-2022, there were many offenses. On February 3, 2022 Herzing physically assaulted the woman at a St. Cloud residence, choked and threatened to kill her. The two got into another encounter on May 25, 2022, and she was upset expressing suicidal thoughts and even walked toward a river. Herzing went to the river, and convinced her to go home. He said he should’ve “Just let her kill herself.” Later that night during a prayer at home, the victim observed Herzing getting text messages from someone whom she suspected he was having an intimate relationship with. She became upset and ended up confronting him. After this, he proceeded to choke her, wrestle her to the ground, hit her head against the pavement and threaten to kill her.
On the night of August 13th, 2022, Herzing took her to an event in Milaca on his motorcycle. On the way home they got into an altercation, and he threatened to kill them both by driving into a tree. He drove into oncoming traffic toward a semi-truck, then swerved back in time to avoid a collision.
Many leaders at the churches were told of concerns raised about Herzing three years before criminal charges were actually filed. It was in October of 2022 when the diocese was made aware of potential inappropriate behavior. This led the diocese to take internal action. The then-bishop at the time, Donald Kettler, placed Herzing on administrative leave and required him to complete a “comprehensive professional evaluation.” He underwent treatment and was later reinstated. After being placed on leave in 2022, Herzing completed a residential treatment program for “inappropriate boundaries.” Then despite the concerns from 2022, and the fact that many people reported their observations of his inappropriate behavior – he was reinstated in June 2023 to active ministry. In June 2024, he was even appointed pastor of five rural central Minnesota parishes.
In the end prosecutors filed charges against Herzing for one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of stalking, and three counts of threats of violence — all relating to conduct toward the single adult victim. In a statement, the St Cloud diocese said Bishop Patrick Neary immediately placed Herzing on administrative leave on November 26th after learning of the charges and prohibited him from all public ministry. Herzing was charged via summons. His first court appearance is scheduled for December 29th. Court records do not list an attorney representing Herzing.
