Trial begins for visiting priest accused of sex assault, kidnapping

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A jury trial is underway for a visiting priest accused of holding a woman against her will and fondling her at an East Oahu church earlier this year.

Bothdan Borowic, 56, is charged with kidnapping and two counts of third-degree sexual assault. A 55-year-old woman told investigators that Borowic groped her on the grounds of Holy Trinity Church in February.

The defendant is a Ukrainian Catholic priest who was on vacation from Winnipeg, Canada at the time of the alleged incident.

A Circuit Court jury heard opening statements Tuesday.

Kidnapping is a class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Third-degree sex assault is a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison.