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Posted: Tuesday, August 2nd, 2005 5:50 AM HST

Bail posted in Maui deacon's sexual assault case

By Associated Press

WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) _ A Roman Catholic deacon on Maui who is accused of sexually assaulting a boy posted bail today. James ``Ron'' Gonsalves was freed after Circuit Judge Shackley Raffetto reduced the bail amount from 790-thousand dollars to 100-thousand dollars. Members of James ``Ron'' Gonsalves' family and parishioners from St. Ann Church were in court as a show of support when Raffetto imposed a number of bail conditions. The 68-year-old Gonsalves is required to stay inside his home, except when he's authorized to visit his attorney's office. He must stay away from minors and at least one mile away from the church. He administered the parish from 1999 until June 22nd when he was placed on administrative leave by the Honolulu Diocese. Gonsalves pleaded innocent last week to 62 counts of first- and third-degree sexual assault. He stands accused of sexually assaulting the boy for three years starting in 2002 when the child was 12 years old. (Copyright 2005 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)