Former Five Towns priest arrested for forcibly touching a man in Oceanside

Police arrested Thomas Moriarty, 62, of New Hyde Park for alleged sexual abuse of a 22-year-old man.

The incident occurred on Oct. 26 at around 12:30 a.m. in Oceanside. Moriarty, employed as a pastor by the Holy Spirit Church located in New Hyde Park, is charged with forcible touching.

Before this role, he was a priest at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, St. Joachim’s R.C. Church and Our Lady of Good Counsel in the Five Towns. Moriarty also held Sunday mass at Silverpoint Beach Club in Atlantic Beach for 31 years.

He was arraigned at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead on Oct. 31.

Detective’s request anyone that feels they may have been the victim of a similar incident, to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or call Special Victims Squad at 516-573-4022. All callers will remain anonymous.